On Friday, we announced that the Director of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, Chris Magnus, was forced out of his post. While it is not as justified as his demotion could be, in light of the chaos that continues to take place at the southern border, the fact that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas remains firmly attached to his position is a source of frustration.
In the beginning of October, Senators Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham put Mayorkas on trial, pointing out many grounds to impeach him. The senators' harsh letter laid out Mayorkas identification of his duties in a letter that noted:
“Despite the heroic efforts of the Border Patrol's officers who operate with no support from Washington, D.C., they haven't been able to establish some sort of operational control over the southern border.”
It's Magnus who's shown the way in the course of a shake-up in DHS.
Initially, Magnus indicated he would not be leaving at will.
“Chris Magnus is resisting leaving the job, following being ordered by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to resign or be dismissed,” according to the source. It follows the record number of migrants trying to get into the U.S. along the Mexican border.
In response to the directive issued by Mayorkas, Magnus sent an email to the top staff members at CBP:
“I would like to make it explicit: I don't have any plans to quit in my capacity as CBP Commissioner. I didn't accept this job to be a way to boost my resume. I moved from Washington, DC– I moved my family here because I am passionate about this organization as well as its mission and the objectives of the Administration,” the email obtained by Fox News states.
However, on Saturday, word came that Magnus will, in reality, be submitting his resignation.
According to Fox News, Magnus resigned “effective immediately.”
President Biden has accepted Magnus' resignation letter.
“The president has accepted the resignation of Christopher Magnus, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. President Biden acknowledges Commissioner Magnus over his more than forty-year tenure and his contributions to reforming the police force during his time as the police chief of three U.S. cities. The President is grateful to Commissioner Magnus for his service as a member of CBP and wishes him best,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated.
In his short resignation letter that he addressed to Biden, Magnus stated:
“I thank you very much for giving me the chance to be your Senate approved Commissioner for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the past year. It has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of the administration you lead.”
“I have decided to resign immediately , but I wish you and your staff the very best in the future. I am grateful for this amazing chance.”
What other changes will be taken at DHS in the course of this restructuring is yet to be determined. But, it doesn't seem like Mayorkas is going to be leaving anytime any time soon. Considering the Republicans in their failure to gain over the Senate, there is no impeachment likely either.
