Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is reportedly leading a campaign to oust Rodney Scott, the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), amid rising tensions within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). According to a report from the Washington Examiner, Noem and her ally, Corey Lewandowski, are accused of employing aggressive tactics to pressure Scott out of his position, primarily over disagreements related to President Donald Trump‘s immigration policies.
The conflict arises from differing approaches to achieving Trump’s ambitious deportation goals, which have so far fallen short of the target of 1 million deportations in his first year back in office. Eight sources detailed to the Examiner that Noem and Lewandowski aimed to create an uncomfortable work environment for Scott, effectively urging him to resign. One source described their tactics as “evil,” noting that they included targeting Scott’s close associates to undermine his authority.
As the dispute escalated, it reportedly affected the families of senior CBP staff members. The tactics employed by Noem and Lewandowski included retaliation against those close to Scott to disrupt his operations. A source remarked, “Corey Lewandowski said that he wanted to make it as tough on these people as possible, their families, their children, everybody.”
This episode is part of a broader pattern of reported infighting within DHS, where competing factions vie for influence over immigration policy. Despite claims of internal strife, DHS and the White House have pushed back against assertions of infighting, asserting that all personnel are aligned with the President’s agenda.
Scott’s leadership has reportedly been challenged by his opposition to Lewandowski’s approach, particularly as Lewandowski’s special government employee status has expired, raising questions about his authority. Scott has expressed concerns about the direction Noem and Lewandowski wish to take, especially regarding the cooperation of CBP with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
In a statement addressing the ongoing tensions, a DHS spokesperson emphasized the shared commitment of the team to the President’s immigration agenda. “Stephen Miller, Tom Homan, Todd Lyons, Corey Lewandowski, Rodney Scott, Gregory Bovino, and Mike Banks are patriots who wake up every day to make this country and its people safer,” the spokesperson stated.
In a recent comment, Scott highlighted the achievements of DHS, asserting that the agency is operating under the President’s vision to create “the most secure border in American history.” He claimed that despite the internal conflicts, the focus remains on effective execution of the immigration agenda.
The ongoing turmoil within DHS is underscored by the recent departure of Madison Sheahan, the Deputy Director of ICE, who is leaving to pursue a congressional bid in her home state of Ohio. This transition comes at a challenging time for the agency, as it grapples with leadership disputes and the evolving landscape of U.S. immigration policy.
As the conflict unfolds, the future of CBP and its leadership under Scott remains uncertain, dependent on the dynamics within the Trump administration and the broader goals of DHS in the face of a complex immigration landscape.
