‘We don’t need him’: DHS officials relieved Trump’s ICE pick is stalled

ICE Nominee Faces Senate Hold Amid Internal DHS Skepticism

Lance Schroyer, President Donald Trump's nominee to head U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), remains in a state of uncertainty as Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has held up his confirmation hearing. The delay stems from Paul's demand for more information about the January shootings of two American citizens in Minneapolis, an incident that has also fueled internal dissent within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper and current senior adviser to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, was announced as the nominee in June, a choice that reportedly surprised many both inside and outside the agency. Immigration hardliners quickly voiced opposition, and now some DHS officials are openly questioning his qualifications.

"We don't want [Schroyer]. We don't need him. Leave us alone. We are running better than ever," one unnamed DHS official told Politico. Another official expressed skepticism about the nomination's prospects, saying, "I don't get a sense that this nomination is going anywhere."

Internal Opposition and Support

The White House has defended Schroyer, with a spokesperson stating, "Lance Schroyer remains President Trump's nominee to lead ICE. Congressional scheduling should not be interpreted as any personnel announcements." A DHS spokesperson also backed the nominee, saying that Secretary Mullin and the department "stand firmly behind President Trump's nominee, Lance Schroyer, and look forward to him bringing nearly 30 years of law enforcement experience to lead the men and women of ICE."

However, multiple unnamed officials have criticized Schroyer's record, particularly his lack of experience in mass deportation operations. One official told Politico that Schroyer's background "shows how out of touch Mullin is," adding, "That's not even JV level for literally the most important job in the admin that remains unfilled." Another source claimed that Schroyer's selection proves Mullin "doesn't subscribe to mass deportations."

Mike Howell, president of The Oversight Project, a conservative-leaning watchdog group, said in an interview that Schroyer's lack of a deportation record undermines the argument Mullin made during his own confirmation hearing.

Background and Context

Schroyer, who served in the Marine Corps from 1992 to 1996, previously ran the security detail at Mullin's home when Mullin was a U.S. senator from Oklahoma. The two developed a friendship after Mullin invited Schroyer inside for dinner, according to a July Wall Street Journal report. Schroyer, who retired as a state police major, has no federal government experience beyond being deputized to make immigration arrests.

Mullin has defended Schroyer, pointing to his work establishing special units in the Oklahoma Highway Patrol to locate abducted children and his role in implementing the state's 287(g) program, which allows state and local law enforcement to partner with federal immigration authorities. In an interview on Fox, Mullin said, "Lance is the right person for the job. He's going to bring in professionalism. He's going to bring in structure."

Critics also note that ICE has not had a Senate-approved director since Sarah Saldaña left the post in January 2017, meaning the agency has generally been led by an acting director. The current acting director, Dave Venturella, is an ally of White House border czar Tom Homan and has broad support within ICE. According to a Daily Beast report, both Venturella and deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller were "blindsided" by Schroyer's nomination.

The political dynamics are further complicated by Senator Paul's history of criticizing ICE's heavy-handed enforcement approach. Even if Paul holds a hearing, he could vote against advancing Schroyer's nomination to the full Senate, as he did with Mullin. Democrats on the Senate panel have also signaled opposition, with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) calling Schroyer "about one of the least credible nominees one could have."

Outlook and Implications

Under the Federal Vacancies Act, Venturella can continue to serve as acting ICE director indefinitely while Schroyer's nomination is pending. One administration official said the expectation inside DHS is that Venturella would remain in place if Schroyer's nomination falters.

The White House has not signaled any intention to withdraw Schroyer's nomination, and a senior White House official said, "People can have personal relationships with Dave or whoever, but ultimately, it's who the president wants in that position." However, the lack of visible effort to advance the nomination has led some to conclude that the administration is comfortable with the current state of affairs.

The situation also reflects broader tensions between Secretary Mullin and immigration hawks, who have criticized his performance and questioned his commitment to the president's mass deportation agenda. Mullin has argued that Schroyer is one of the few candidates who could actually win Senate confirmation, which he says would boost morale at the agency.

For now, the nomination remains stalled, and the future of ICE leadership is uncertain. While some officials express relief, others worry about the impact on enforcement operations. Venturella, who rejoined ICE in 2025, has been credited with improving morale and bringing calm after the January shootings, and many within the agency hope he will stay.

"Everyone loves Dave," one DHS official said, adding that the ongoing uncertainty has created unease among rank-and-file personnel.