{"id":2608296,"date":"2026-05-29T14:16:50","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T18:16:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-sprint-to-find-a-new-border-patrol-leader\/"},"modified":"2026-05-29T14:19:24","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T18:19:24","slug":"the-sprint-to-find-a-new-border-patrol-leader","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-sprint-to-find-a-new-border-patrol-leader\/","title":{"rendered":"The sprint to find a new Border Patrol leader"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fthe-sprint-to-find-a-new-border-patrol-leader%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2608296&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Trump governance reportedly completed a two-week,behind-the-scenes search for a new U.S. Border Patrol chief and selected longtime Border Patrol agent Rosario \u201cPete\u201d Vasquez. CBP officials and former Chief Jason owens described Vasquez as a highly professional, ethical leader with extensive Bureau experience, including command roles in Washington state and prior work in Yuma, Arizona, and San Diego.<\/p>\n<p>His selection is framed as a response to the abrupt retirement of Michael banks, who had recently been the subject of sex tourism allegations investigated by the *Washington Examiner*. Banks-previously pushed for the job by the Border Patrol union-had been seen by many as tied to the union and criticized for a lack of senior experience and for decisions influenced by union preferences.<\/p>\n<p>Because the deputy chief (normally next in line) also retired, CBP and DHS had to find a replacement outside standard procedure. Sources say CBP leadership prioritized integrity, work ethic, focus on the workforce, and qualifications (placing more weight on career-service credibility then union favor). the union\u2019s stated role remains disputed: several agents were reportedly told the union had already chosen Vasquez before an official announcement, while DHS said it had no decision yet about when to announce the appointment.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>EXCLUSIVE \u2014 <\/strong>The Trump administration has scrambled behind the scenes to find a new U.S. Border Patrol chief who does not come with a history of scandal and inexperience, as its previous leader did.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Three sources familiar with the search process told the <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>that a final selection has been made, wrapping up a two-week sprint to find a new leader.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4586237\/new-jersey-health-officials-inspect-limited-part-delaney-hall-sherrill\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>New Jersey health officials inspect \u2018limited part\u2019 of Delaney Hall: Sherrill<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4585649\/greg-bovino-slams-dhs-response-new-jersey-ice-protest\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Bovino teases visit to New Jersey immigration center to \u2018handle\u2019 protests himself<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4585305\/green-card-changes-applicants-leave-country\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Green card changes may force applicants to leave country: What to know<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rosario \u201cPete\u201d Vasquez was selected late Thursday as the new national chief of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/border-patrol\">Border Patrol<\/a>. Vasquez is an agent of 26 years and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bidens-border-policies-under-scrutiny\/\" title=\"Biden\u2019s border policies under scrutiny\">chief patrol agent<\/a> of the Border Patrol\u2019s northwestern region in Blaine, Washington. He previously worked in Yuma, Arizona, and San Diego; at the Border Patrol\u2019s Washington headquarters; and as the assistant attach\u00e9 for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/customs-and-border-protection\">U.S. Customs and Border Protection<\/a> in Canada.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019ve worked with him for many years, and I know him to be a consummate professional who cares about the people,\u201d former Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens wrote in a text message to the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> on Friday morning. \u201cI wish him well.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A CBP official familiar with the decision described Vasquez as a \u201cgood man\u201d who \u201cwill do well in the position.\u201d A second CBP official described Vasquez as a \u201cstraight shooter \u2026 no nonsense forward-looking leader, who, as far as I know, is of high moral character.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Michael Banks, whom the Border Patrol union had pushed for the job in 2024, abruptly <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4566964\/border-patrol-chief-michael-banks-announces-sudden-retirement\/\">retired<\/a> this month following a <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/4509505\/border-patrol-chief-michael-banks-prostitution-allegations-by-agents\/\">investigation<\/a> into sex tourism allegations against the former chief.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Banks is viewed by six people who spoke with the <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>this week as the final figure of former Department of Homeland Security Secretary <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kristi-noem\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"3710\">Kristi Noem\u2019s<\/a> era, a 14-month period in which DHS turned immigration enforcement into a flashy and aggressive campaign made for television. Banks was an ally to Noem, then-special government employee Corey Lewandowski, and former Border Patrol El Centro Sector Chief Greg Bovino. His departure gave DHS\u2019s new secretary, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/markwayne-mullin\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"21441\">Markwayne Mullin<\/a>, the opportunity to set a new tone on immigration enforcement, particularly ahead of the midterm elections.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The quite literal overnight departure of Banks from the organization\u2019s Washington headquarters left Border Patrol\u2019s parent agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-homeland-security\">Department of Homeland Security<\/a> suddenly pressed to find a successor.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ordinarily, Border Patrol\u2019s deputy chief would be next in line to succeed the chief. However, standard procedure was thrown out the window due to Deputy Chief Neil Slosar\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-administration-reacts-to-mccarthys-removal\/\" title=\"Biden Administration responds to McCarthy&#039;s ousting.\">11th-hour decision<\/a> to retire this week.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Border Patrol, which marked its 102nd anniversary on Thursday, has a deep bench of senior officials nationwide from whom it can select a new leader. Over the past two weeks, CBP leadership has looked at current and former regional chiefs across its 20 sectors, or regions, along the Canadian, Mexican, and southeastern borders.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Three sources familiar with leadership\u2019s search criteria said CBP has prioritized integrity, work ethic, a focus on the workforce, and experience more so than in past searches, as opposed to who is favored by the union, which has personal ties to Washington leaders, and other factors that had previously been weighed more heavily. One criterion that it would not waiver on was selecting someone in Senior Executive Service, the top rank of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republican-patrick-witt-running-for-office-to-take-on-deep-state-administrative-agencies\/\" title=\"Republican Patrick Witt Running for Office to Take on Deep State Administrative Agencies\">career government employees<\/a>, just below presidential appointees.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A former senior CBP official said in a text message that he supported CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott\u2019s decision to focus on the \u201cmost ethical choice\u201d and \u201cgetting back to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >career service selections based<\/a> on qualifications (not a political appointee).\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-challenges-in-the-search-for-a-successor\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Challenges in the search for a successor<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The role of Border Patrol chief, overseeing roughly 20,000 federal law enforcement agents nationwide, is not a political appointment or Senate-confirmed position. It is up to the DHS secretary, in consultation with the CBP commissioner, to select a chief.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The challenge has been that several candidates who rose to the top of CBP\u2019s list stood little chance of being approved by the union, which, on paper, has no authority to decide the head of the Border Patrol but has heavily influenced the process since its endorsement of President Donald Trump during the 2016 election cycle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe union is the one that\u2019s controlling [it], and they don\u2019t have a good record,\u201d a source familiar\u00a0with the administration\u2019s pick for chief wrote in a text message. \u201cIt\u2019s being controlled by the union. I think President Trump thinks he won [in 2016] because of the Border Patrol.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, sources told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that the union was telling agents on Friday it had chosen Vasquez for the job, even though CBP and DHS had not yet made an announcement, calling into question how big a role the union actually played in the selection process.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Banks, whose spouse is a Border Patrol union executive, retired from a Border Patrol managerial role in 2023. He then worked as Texas border czar for Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) during part of the Biden administration.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Banks\u2019s appointment was largely opposed by Border Patrol personnel, from rank-and-file agents to senior officials, due to his union ties, reputation, and lack of senior experience.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The National Border Patrol Council\u2019s national president, Paul Perez, did not respond to a request for comment on the union\u2019s preferences and influence in the selection process. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first CBP official said Vasquez would have to \u201cunBanks a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4575734\/tom-homan-insists-ice-not-narrowing-deportation-agenda\/\">TOM HOMAN INSISTS ICE IS NOT NARROWING DEPORTATION AGENDA<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBanks made some terrible decisions,\u201d the official said. \u201cBasically did whatever the union said. The Chief should have a very good, professional relationship with the union but Banks did whatever they wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The DHS said on Friday morning that it had no decision to announce on the next Border Patrol chief. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>EXCLUSIVE: Trump team selects new Border Patrol chief after two-week search<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2655,"featured_media":2608297,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/41f1d7caafa5502cf803819bbf368a77-scaled-e1780073256457.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[33146,4061,36382,50402],"class_list":["post-2608296","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-border-patrol","tag-hiring","tag-immigration-policy","tag-leadership-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/41f1d7caafa5502cf803819bbf368a77-scaled-e1780073256457.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608296","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2655"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2608296"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608296\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2608300,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608296\/revisions\/2608300"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2608297"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2608296"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2608296"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2608296"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}