Trump fills his cabinet with 3 nominees to homeland security and immigration
President-elect Donald Trump continues to aggressively roll out his picks to serve in his Cabinet and other top roles, with a focus on individuals who will work towards securing the border and carrying out a mass deportation operation. On Thursday, Trump announced nominees for homeland security and immigration positions, including Rodney Scott as Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Caleb Vitello as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Tony Salisbury as Deputy Homeland Security Advisor on the White House Homeland Security Council.
Rodney Scott, a former Border Patrol chief, was appointed to lead the CBP. He served as the chief of the Border Patrol’s San Diego sector from 2020 until he was removed by the Biden administration in mid-2021. Scott has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration’s immigration policies and its handling of the crisis at the southern border. With nearly three decades of experience in the Border Patrol, Scott is known for implementing initiatives such as Remain-in-Mexico, Title 42, and Safe Third Agreements, which led to record low levels of illegal immigration during his tenure.
Caleb Vitello, who has been appointed as acting director of ICE, has over 23 years of service to the agency. He has served in various leadership roles within ICE, including as Director for Interior Enforcement at the White House National Security Council. Vitello’s experience includes overseeing Agency-wide training, equipment, and policy to ensure officer and public safety, as well as managing daily operations for an organization with a $4.7 billion budget and 8,000 employees.
Tony Salisbury, the newly appointed Deputy Homeland Security Advisor, currently serves as the Special Agent in Charge for ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Miami. With a background in complex federal law enforcement investigative programs related to national security and smuggling violations, Salisbury brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He has previously held key leadership positions within ICE/HSI and is known for his work in combating crimes such as human trafficking, narcotics smuggling, cyber-crimes, and document fraud.
These appointments underscore Trump’s commitment to strengthening border security and enforcing immigration laws. By selecting individuals with extensive experience in law enforcement and national security, Trump aims to address the challenges posed by illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations. With these new additions to his team, Trump is poised to advance his agenda of protecting the nation’s borders and ensuring the safety and security of all Americans.
