On Monday, the White House expressed its support for Tom Homan, the "border czar," amidst reports indicating his acceptance of $50,000 during an undercover FBI operation last year. This encounter, which has opened the doors to a bribery investigation, was reportedly halted by the Trump administration’s Justice Department.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt vehemently defended Homan, describing the investigation as an attempt by the Biden administration to "entrap" a prominent supporter of President Trump. She stated, "The White House and the president stand by Tom Homan 100% because he did absolutely nothing wrong," further praising Homan's contributions in managing border security.
According to an initial report by MSNBC, Homan accepted cash from undercover agents posing as businesspersons interested in government contracts, which Homan allegedly offered to facilitate during a second Trump term. Two individuals with knowledge of the investigation confirmed its existence and provided insight into its details, although they chose to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter.
The Trump administration’s Justice Department previously reviewed the case and concluded that there was "no credible evidence of any criminal wrongdoing." Despite this, the White House criticized the Biden administration's investigation as politically charged. FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche affirmed that the investigation was closed because the department needed to focus on "real threats" rather than what they termed "baseless investigations."
Leavitt also noted during a briefing that Homan "never took the $50,000 you’re referring to," without providing additional clarification. In a subsequent Fox News interview, Homan maintained his innocence, stating, "I did nothing criminal. I did nothing illegal," and stressed his history of law enforcement, remarking on the sacrifices he and his family had made during his public service career. He also mentioned feeling the impact of death threats due to his position.
The emerging details regarding Homan have reignited concerns over potential political interference within the Justice Department. Critics have pointed out that Trump's intensified calls for the prosecution of his critics may jeopardize the agency’s long-held independence in legal matters. During a recent public statement, Trump urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue charges against figures he perceives as adversaries, indicating a growing split in the political landscape.
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy also voiced his concerns on ABC News, highlighting perceived discrepancies in the justice system, stating, "If you are a friend of the president, a loyalist of the president, you can get away with nearly anything … but if you are an opponent of the president, you may find yourself in jail." This commentary echoes the ongoing discourse around the politicization of judicial processes in America.
The investigation into Homan's conduct was reportedly sparked by claims from a separate investigation suggesting that he was soliciting bribes. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson reiterated that Homan has not participated in any contract award decisions, calling the investigation a politically motivated endeavor by the Biden Justice Department to target allies of President Trump.
Homan has been instrumental in shaping Trump's hardline immigration policies and deportation strategies, having served as the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during Trump's first term. Following Trump's election victory in November 2016, Homan was appointed as the "border czar" for the incoming administration, reinforcing his pivotal role in U.S. immigration policy.
