White House Withdraws ICE Director Nominee, Leaving Agency Without Confirmed Chief

The White House on September 17, 2026, withdrew President Trump's nomination of Lance Schroyer to lead ICE, sending the withdrawal to the Senate nearly two months after Trump nominated him in late June. Trump said Schroyer has "what it takes to DETAIN AND DEPORT Illegal Alien Criminals" and that "The Senate must CONFIRM Lance, IMMEDIATELY — Do not delay," citing 29 years of law enforcement experience. Schroyer previously led Markwayne Mullin's security detail and served as a DHS adviser. He never received a confirmation hearing. Sen. Rand Paul, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, halted the process to request more information on investigations into fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by ICE agents in Minneapolis in January. At Mullin's March confirmation hearing, Paul cited Mullin's past "freaking snake" remark and said: "I just wonder if someone who applauds violence against their political opponents is the right person to lead an agency that has struggled to accept limits to the proper use of force" and "Explain to the American public why they should trust a man with anger issues to set the proper example for ICE and Border Patrol agents." Mullin was confirmed 54-45. The White House did not explain the withdrawal. It has been more than 12 years since the Senate confirmed an ICE director.