# Rand Paul Blocks Trump's ICE Pick, White House Withdraws Him

- URL: https://twotakes.us/stories/rand-paul-blocks-trumps-ice-pick-white-house-withdraws-him
- Published: 2026-09-17T19:11:03.821749+00:00
- Topics: ice, immigration, senate-confirmation, trump-administration, homeland-security

## What the left says
- Schroyer's nomination underscores a pattern of Trump elevating personal loyalty and political connections over relevant qualifications for major law enforcement posts.
- Schroyer had no formal ICE experience and only completed a brief online training program before being deputized for immigration enforcement, raising concerns about competence at the top of an agency wielding significant power over immigrants' lives.
- The withdrawal followed Rand Paul's demand for accountability regarding ICE agent shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, highlighting ongoing concerns about excessive force and lack of oversight within the agency's aggressive enforcement tactics.
- ICE has operated without Senate-confirmed leadership since 2017, reflecting a broader lack of accountability and transparency as the agency has dramatically expanded its enforcement footprint under Trump.

## What the right says
- The withdrawal reflects legitimate concerns, even from within Trump's own party, that Schroyer lacked the operational and federal law enforcement experience needed to lead a major agency amid an intense immigration enforcement push.
- Rand Paul's insistence on obtaining details about the Minneapolis shootings before scheduling a confirmation hearing represents responsible congressional oversight, not obstruction of the administration's agenda.
- The episode highlights internal friction between DHS Secretary Mullin and border czar Tom Homan over enforcement strategy, rather than any lack of commitment to Trump's deportation priorities.
- Trump and Mullin both praised Schroyer's decades of Oklahoma law enforcement experience and his work on 287(g) partnerships, viewing him as a dedicated advocate for tougher immigration enforcement even if the nomination ultimately stalled.

## Common ground
- Lance (Richard) Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper and senior adviser to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, was withdrawn as Trump's nominee to lead ICE on September 17, 2026.
- Rand Paul, chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, held up Schroyer's confirmation hearing pending information about agent-involved shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
- The White House did not publicly explain its reasoning for withdrawing the nomination.
- ICE has not had a Senate-confirmed director since 2017, and David Venturella currently serves as acting director.

## Sources
- [Axios](https://www.axios.com/2026/09/17/white-house-pulls-lance-schroyer-ice-nominee) (Lean Left)
- [CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/richard-schroyer-ice-nominee-white-house-withdraws-nomination/) (Lean Left)
- [Daily Wire](https://www.dailywire.com/news/white-house-withdraws-ice-director-nominee) (Right)
- [Just The News](https://justthenews.com/government/security/white-house-withdraws-its-pick-ice-director?utm_source=justthenews.com&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=external-news-aggregators) (Right)
- [NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/white-house-withdraws-trumps-nominee-lead-ice-rcna598386) (Lean Left)
- [Newsmax](https://www.newsmax.com/politics/lance-schroyer-ICE-rand-paul/2026/09/17/id/1269777) (Right)
- [New York Post](https://nypost.com/2026/09/17/us-news/white-house-withdraws-nomination-of-markwayen-mullins-good-friend-to-helm-ice-after-rand-paul-foils-it/) (Lean Right)
- [The Guardian US](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/sep/17/lance-schroyer-ice-director-nomination-withdrawn) (Left)
- [Townhall](https://townhall.com/news/cameron-arcand/2026/09/17/white-house-pulls-nomination-for-ice-director-n2683155) (Right)

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