Trump's ICE pick catches senior aide off-guard at daughter’s wedding

Donald Trump used his Truth Social account to reveal Richard “Lance” Schroyer as his choice for the next director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a disclosure that reached senior adviser Susie Wiles only after she arrived at her daughter Caroline’s wedding in Charlottesville, Virginia. The announcement, made on June 27, has sparked backlash over Schroyer’s relatively brief law-enforcement background and allegations that his selection was driven by his friendship with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who reportedly advocated for him during a private White House visit.

Sources say other senior officials, including Stephen Miller and Tom Homan, were also unaware of the decision until the public post. White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis emphasized that Trump alone decides nominations and denied the administration was blindsided. Despite criticism, several Republican senators, such as Rick Scott, Bernie Moreno, Ron Johnson, James Lankford and Josh Hawley, have expressed support, while the Senate has not yet set a hearing date and the nomination paperwork reached the chamber on July 20. Schroyer would replace former ICE chief Todd Lyons, who departed in May, and the Department of Homeland Security has voiced strong backing for a swift confirmation.