Tom Homan, the incoming “border czar” for President-elect Donald Trump, issued a strong warning to criminal gangs during a recent interview on Donald Trump Jr.’s Triggered podcast.
Homan, who led U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during Trump’s first term, declared, “As far as Tren de Aragua and MS-13… my gang’s bigger than your gang, and we’re going to take you out.” His comments highlight his aggressive approach to border enforcement and immigration law.
Homan’s appointment to the newly created role of “border czar” has drawn attention due to his hard-line stance on immigration, which aligns with Trump’s policies.
His appointment does not require Senate confirmation, and his position is expected to play a pivotal role in executing Project 2025, an initiative focusing on sweeping immigration reform, which Homan has contributed to as a fellow at The Heritage Foundation.
In his remarks, Homan emphasized that while he is “anti-illegal immigration,” he is not “anti-immigrant,” defending his stance by pointing to the challenges he witnessed firsthand while enforcing immigration laws.
He criticized political opponents who have labeled his actions as racist, saying, “What does that make Congress? They wrote the law.”
Homan also addressed the urgency of his mission, telling Trump Jr., “I got three words for them: shock and awe,” referring to the swift and decisive actions he plans to take on Inauguration Day.
He reiterated his confidence, stating that while opposition and lawsuits were expected, he and his team would push forward with their objectives.
Immigration advocates have expressed concern about the potential impact of Trump’s hard-line policies, particularly the proposed mass deportations.
Critics worry that these actions could affect not just migrants with criminal backgrounds but also individuals without legal status, including those who are parents of U.S. citizens.