a man in a suit looks straight ahead
Lance Schroyer. Photograph: Department of Homeland Security
Lance Schroyer. Photograph: Department of Homeland Security

White House withdraws nomination of ex-state trooper Lance Schroyer to head ICE

Critics had criticized administration for nominating Schroyer, who has no formal experience working in ICE

The White House has withdrawn the nomination of Lance Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper, to head Immigration and Customs Enforcement, less than three months after announcing his role.

Critics had initially criticized administration officials for nominating Schroyer, who has no formal experience working in ICE, to lead Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement agenda.

Schroyer previously worked as a member of homeland security secretary Markwayne Mullin’s security detail when he was in the Senate. Since then, Schroyer has been serving as an adviser to Mullin

White House officials did not give a reason for withdrawing Schroyer’s nomination in an announcement posted on the White House website on Thursday.

But Schroyer’s nomination stalled in the Senate because Rand Paul, the Republican chair of the homeland security and governmental affairs committee, had yet to schedule a hearing.

The Guardian has asked the White House for more information.

ICE has not had an official director since 2017. The agency has been overseen by several acting directors, most recently David Venturella.