The White House on Thursday withdrew its nomination of Lance Schroyer to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Schroyer was nominated by President Donald Trump in late June. The former Oklahoma police officer had been serving as Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s adviser and security detail and is a longtime friend.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, previously said he would not vote to advance the nominee out of committee until the Trump administration provided more information about its investigation into the federal agents involved in the deadly shootings in Minneapolis earlier this year, according to Politico. Paul’s office said he did not voice opposition to the nominee.
Paul has been highly critical of Mullin’s leadership at DHS. Mullin, who personally championed Schroyer’s nomination, and other sources within the agency had referred to Schroyer as the secretary’s “good buddy.”
The White House previously rejected the idea that Schroyer was put forth with Mullin’s endorsement and said Trump’s selection of Schroyer was his decision and no one else’s.
Schroyer was slated to replace acting director David Venturella, a former executive at a private prison operator. Former ICE director Todd Lyons resigned in May for a role in the private sector.
The nomination was met with sharp criticism, as some officials previously told the Washington Examiner that Schroyer’s leading the agency could do more harm than good to an already unpopular ICE.
One official said it was a “mistake,” and pointed to his lack of managerial experience, proximity to Mullin, and inexperience leading a federal agency as reasons Schroyer may not be the best choice. Mullin had come into his lead role with no background in homeland security, immigration, or border policy.
Schroyer has had a career in local and state law enforcement since 1997 and had previously worked on partnerships with federal immigration officials last year under a program that gives ICE the authority to delegate immigration duties to state and local police.
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ICE has not had a Senate-confirmed director since the end of the second Obama administration, more than nine years ago, and Trump has yet to indicate his next pick to lead the agency.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the White House for comment.