Former acting ICE Director Tom Homan is "honored" to be tapped as the "border czar" for the incoming second Trump administration. He's ready to take on the challenge of fixing the border crisis.
"I've been on this network for years complaining about what this administration did to this border. I've been yelling and screaming about it and what they need to do to fix it," Homan said. "So when the president asked me, ‘Would you come back and fix it?’ Of course. I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't."
Homan is passionate about the task ahead. "I’m honored the president asked me to come back and help solve this national security crisis, so I’m looking forward to it," he added in his first interview since the announcement.
"The calling is clear," he continued. "I've got to go back and help because every morning… I'm pissed off with what this [Biden] administration did to the most secure border in my lifetime."
Trump named Homan to the position in a post on Truth Social. He fills the role currently held by Vice President Kamala Harris.
Illegal border crossings surged under Biden, with nearly 3 million in fiscal year 2024 alone. More than 10.8 million illegal encounters have been reported since FY 2021.
Homan emphasized his tough approach on illegal immigration. He focused on deporting those who pose public safety or national security threats, like drug cartels and sex trafficking.
"I know exactly what I'm doing," he said. "I was a Border Patrol agent, I wore that uniform, and I’m proud of it. I was an ICE agent. I was the first ICE director that came up through the ranks."
Since his return was announced, Homan has received an overwhelming number of calls. Many were from ICE agents excited about his comeback. "But more importantly, thousands of retired agents, retired military [have called] that want to come in and volunteer to help," he shared.
Despite the support, Homan has also received death threats. But he's determined. "They're not going to shut me up," he said. "This is the biggest national security vulnerability this nation has seen since 9/11. We have to fix it."