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The White House has pulled its nominee to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement, withdrawing the nomination of Lance Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper, according to an official notice published Thursday. The notice offered no explanation for the decision.
Schroyer had served as a senior adviser to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. Mullin personally chose him as his top pick to lead ICE after former director Todd Lyons left the position in April. President Donald Trump formally announced the nomination in June through a post on Truth Social, writing that Schroyer had “firsthand experience getting Illegal Aliens OFF our streets.”
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Senator Rand Paul Blocked the Nomination
A person familiar with the decision said Senator Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky and chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, blocked Schroyer’s nomination. Paul took issue with the amount of information the White House provided him regarding the shootings of two U.S. citizens in Minnesota by federal agents. He was unsatisfied with the White House’s response and moved to block the nomination as a result.
The White House did not respond to requests for comment on Paul’s role in the withdrawal. ICE also did not immediately address questions about the senator’s involvement. However, an ICE spokesperson said the agency planned to release a statement.
Schroyer’s Background and Qualifications
Schroyer brings decades of local law enforcement experience in Oklahoma. Mullin knew him from his time as a U.S. senator for the state before becoming Homeland Security Secretary. However, Schroyer’s background did not include direct experience with ICE operations specifically.
Trump praised Schroyer in his June nomination announcement, adding that Schroyer, like himself and Secretary Mullin, “LOVES the men and women of ICE.” Despite that public endorsement, the nomination never advanced far enough to reach a Senate confirmation vote.
Acting Director to Remain in Place
Meanwhile, Acting ICE Director David Venturella will continue leading the agency for the foreseeable future, according to an ICE spokesperson. The withdrawal leaves the agency without a confirmed permanent director. It also raises fresh questions about the White House’s relationship with key Senate committee leaders on immigration enforcement matters.
The Lance Schroyer nomination withdrawal marks a notable setback for the administration’s efforts to install permanent leadership at ICE. No replacement nominee has been announced at this time.
