Texas "Border Czar" to Head Border Patrol in Trump Administration
Mike Banks to head US Border Patrol on "Day 1" of incoming Trump Administration
Texas "Border Czar" Mike Banks will take charge of the US Border Patrol on Day 1 of the Trump Administration, according to reports from multiple news outlets including CBS News, NewsNation, and The New York Post.
Banks will replace the current Chief of the Border Patrol Jason Owens - who also has strong Texas ties: Owens was Chief Patrol Agent of the Del Rio Sector when the Biden Administration promoted him to his current position more than a year and a half ago. Before that, Owens also served as Deputy Chief of the Laredo Sector. NewsNation's Ali Bradley reports that Owens told his colleagues that he plans to retire from the agency after 28 years of service in April.
Mike Banks who will replace Owens was appointed "Border Czar" by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in January of 2023 - just ten days after Banks retired from a lengthy career in the Border Patrol which included serving on the front lines along the Rio Grande in Texas.
Officially his title is "Special Advisor on Border Matters to the Governor." Banks has played a key role in Governor Abbott's "Operation Lone Star" border security mission and is often alongside Abbott during frequent trips to the border.
Texas Border Czar Banks' outspoken criticism of the Biden-Harris Administration likely played a key role in Trump's decision to have him head the Border Patrol. For example, Banks pinned the following statement to the top of his x.com account:
"If I had Kamala Harris's failed border security track record, I'd deny being called "Border Czar" too. But unlike Kamala, I'm PROUD of Texas' achievements in securing the border. We've worked hard to deter illegal immigration. Illegal immigration has decreased in Texas by 85%." -Texas "Border Czar Mike Banks (via x.com (July 25, 2024)
Texas Senator John Cornyn praised President-elect Trump's decision to place Banks in charge of the Border Patrol:
"Mike Banks is a great choice by Donald Trump to be the next U.S. Border Patrol chief. Nobody understands the border better than Texans. Mike served Governor Abbott and the Lone Star State well and I have no doubt that he will do the same back at the Border Patrol." -US Senator John Cornyn (via x.com)
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Abrazos,
Jack Beavers
Posturing