Trump appoints political ally Michael Banks as Border Patrol chief, breaking career precedent

President Trump named Michael Banks as Border Patrol chief on January 22, 2025, the day after his inauguration, selecting a political ally who had served as Texas Governor Greg Abbott border czar since 2023 rather than promoting from within the career Border Patrol ranks. Banks had previously served in mid-level Border Patrol roles before leaving federal service for Texas. The appointment broke decades of precedent in which the Border Patrol chief position had been filled by career agency officials.