President Trump Selects ICE Director And Border Patrol Chief

On Thursday, President Trump, in a post on Truth Social, announced he had nominated Immigration and Customs Enforcement veteran Caleb Vitello as acting ICE director and former U.S. Border Patrol chief Rodney Scott to lead Customs and Border Protection.

Trump in his post wrote, “Commissioner of United States Customs and Border Protection: Rodney S. Scott Rodney served nearly three decades in the Border Patrol, building vast experience and knowledge in Law Enforcement and Border Security.”

“He served as the Chief Patrol Agent for El Centro Sector and the San Diego Sector, before being selected as the Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol,” added Trump.

Concerning Vitello, he wrote, “Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement: Caleb Vitello A member of the Senior Executive Service, with over 23 years of service to ICE, Caleb currently serves as Assistant Director of the Office of Firearms and Tactical Programs, where he oversees Agency-wide training, equipment, and policy to ensure Officer and Public Safety.”

JUST IN: President-elect Trump names Caleb Vitello as his acting ICE director.

Vitello has been with ICE for over 23 years.

"[He's] an excellent choice to implement my efforts to enhance the safety and security of American communities who have been victimized by illegal alien… pic.twitter.com/AG8HXpKySb

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 6, 2024

Congratulations @rodneyscottbp . This is an outstanding appointment by @realDonaldTrump. The America First Train is moving full speed ahead and @CBP will be in outstanding shape. Rodney is a great American Patriot and will work tirelessly to keep all America safe. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/HJQLLog6oL

— Derek Maltz Sr (@derekmaltz_sr) December 6, 2024

Per Axios:

President-elect Trump on Thursday night nominated former U.S. Border Patrol chief Rodney Scott to lead Customs and Border Protection, and he picked Immigration and Customs Enforcement veteran Caleb Vitello to serve as acting ICE director.

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They’re likely to play a crucial role in helping Trump deliver his hard-line immigration policies that include a pledge to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.

“Rodney served nearly three decades in the Border Patrol, building vast experience and knowledge in Law Enforcement and Border Security,” Trump said in announcing Scott’s nomination as Customs and Border Protection commissioner on his Truth Social platform.

Scott served as Border Patrol chief in both the Trump and Biden administrations before retiring in August 2021.
He assisted in the delivery of Trump’s Remain in Mexico policy, the pandemic-era Title 42 and the Safe Third Country deal.

Vitello is a member of the Senior Executive Service with more than 23 years of federal law enforcement experience, “all with Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” per his ICE biography.

Trump tonight nominated former U.S. Border Patrol chief Rodney Scott to lead Customs and Border Protection https://t.co/Qt3abgEDmr

— Axios (@axios) December 6, 2024

Per President Trump:

Commissioner of United States Customs and Border Protection: Rodney S. Scott Rodney served nearly three decades in the Border Patrol, building vast experience and knowledge in Law Enforcement and Border Security. Rodney served as the 24th Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, where he implemented Remain-in-Mexico, Title 42, Safe Third Agreements, and achieved record low levels of illegal immigration. He began his career with the Border Patrol in 1992 at the Imperial Beach Station, San Diego Sector. Following the September 11th terrorist attacks, he served as an Anti-Terrorism Advisor to the CBP Commissioner, and later, as Deputy Executive Director of the CBP, Office of Anti-Terrorism.

He served as the Chief Patrol Agent for El Centro Sector and the San Diego Sector, before being selected as the Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol. As the Chief, he led over 22,000 personnel, and was responsible for securing the International Borders of the U.S. between the official ports of entry. After retiring, Rodney has continued to educate politicians and the public about the importance of meaningful Border Security.

Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement: Caleb Vitello A member of the Senior Executive Service, with over 23 years of service to ICE, Caleb currently serves as Assistant Director of the Office of Firearms and Tactical Programs, where he oversees Agency-wide training, equipment, and policy to ensure Officer and Public Safety.

Caleb led the Fugitive Operations Academy, served as Deputy Assistant Director, and directed the National Fugitive Operations Program, providing policy guidance, strategic planning, and operational oversight for efforts to locate, arrest, and remove at-large, dangerous criminals and illegal aliens from the U.S. As Chief of Staff for Enforcement and Removal Operations, he managed daily operations for an organization with a $4.7 Billion Dollar budget and 8,000 employees. At the White House National Security Council, Caleb led initiatives focused on child safety and national security threats. Caleb’s exceptional leadership, extensive experience, and commitment to ICE’s mission make him an excellent choice to implement my efforts to enhance the safety and security of American communities who have been victimized by illegal alien crime.

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