President Joe Biden’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) commissioner Chris Magnus stepped down Saturday under pressure from both the administration and critical Republicans.
Magnus was only appointed to the position in December 2021, but came under intense fire for the worsening crisis at the nation’s southern border. He was reportedly asked to resign his position by Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas or be fired.
As recently as Friday night, Magnus told the Los Angeles Times that he did not intend to resign as asked. He recounted expressing directly to Mayorkas that his requested resignation was unjustified.
An email obtained by Fox News detailed Magnus’ clear intentions to stay on the job. He specifically declared that he had “no plans to resign as CBP commissioner.” The note further stated that “I care about this agency, its goals, and the goals of this Administration.”
That tone changed dramatically in less than 24 hours, and his resignation was immediately accepted.
In a press release, the Biden White House expressed its thanks for his service at CBP “and wishes him well.”
The agency turmoil followed a Politico report that detailed the commissioner as being “detached” to the point of falling asleep in meetings.
Customs and Border Protection Chief Chris Magnus resigns.
Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas should be next.
— Mayra Flores (@MayraFlores2022) November 13, 2022
It also came shortly after the end of a fiscal year that saw a record-breaking number of illegal migrants attempt to cross the U.S. southern border.
Despite numerous administration claims that the border is secure — including from Mayorkas — Department of Homeland Security records show that almost 2.4 million migrants were detained at the border.
That represents a startling 37% increase in just one year.
Much of this deluge derives directly from changing Biden administration policy. From virtually abandoning the border wall to rescinding former President Donald Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” policy, the White House systematically tore down efforts that showed progress in slowing the tide.
As border states shipped migrants to Democrat-controlled “sanctuary” cities in protest of Biden’s lax border efforts, even some Democrats voiced their displeasure at the lack of enforcement. Magnus’ resignation is a start, but the blame goes much further up the ladder than merely him.
