Trump’s New ‘Border Czar’ Tells Democrats To ‘Get The Hell Out Of The Way’
Tom Homan, President-elect Donald Trump’s new “border czar,” told Democratic governors to “get the hell out of the way” as the upcoming administration prepares its mass deportation plans — or face unnamed consequences.
“There will be a massive deportation operation because we have a massive, never-seen-before illegal immigration [wave],” Homan said during a Fox News appearance on Friday. “It’s not about hate, it’s not about discrimination, it’s not about being racist — it’s about those people entering the country illegally, which is a crime.”
“If [Democratic governors] are not wiling to help, then get the hell out of the way, because ICE is going to do the job,” Homan added.
Homan served as the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during part of Trump’s first administration. He was a key figure in the effort to separate migrant children from their parents at the southern border with Mexico and a contributor to Project 2025.
Trump tapped him to be border czar — a position that does not need Senate confirmation — on Sunday as the president-elect unveiled the first slate of aides and confidants to key positions in his upcoming second administration.
Elsewhere during the Fox News interview, Homan explained that, despite fears from civil rights activists — who have cited Trump’s own pledge to unleash the “largest deportation operation” in U.S. history — officials would not be sweeping neighborhoods or planning “massive raids.”
“If I’m running it, public safety threats and national security threats will be the priority. ... We’ve got to prioritize limited resources,” he said, before admitting the effort will be a “big operation.”
Homan also said that if Democratic regions resist those plans, the federal government would marshal the resources needed to enact Trump’s pledges.
“We have a mandate,” he said. “I think the American people just gave President Trump a mandate, that’s why he was elected. To secure the border, save lives.”
“If you’re not going to help us, step aside,” Homan added. “But don’t get in our way, because there will be consequences.”
Later on Monday, Homan appeared to go further with his hardline language when appearing on Fox News’ “Hannity.”
Host Sean Hannity proposed a “grace period” in which undocumented immigrants are allowed time to get their affairs in order and leave the country, and then eventually be allowed to apply to return to the U.S. legally.
“Criminals and gang members get no grace period,” Homan replied. “While we’re out prioritizing the public safety threats and national security threats, if you wanna self-deport, you should self-deport because, again, we know who you are, and we’re gonna come and find you.”
He added criminals and gang members “get no favors from this administration” and “we’re coming for you.”
While he was “all for” people to “self-deport,” he did not specify whether there would be a process to allow people to apply to re-enter the U.S. in the future.
