The Senate Finance Committee listening to to contemplate Rodney Scott’s nomination to be commissioner of Customs and Border Safety started with fireworks from the panel’s high Democrat.
Scott was lambasted by Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon over an issue involving an individual who died in CBP custody in 2010. The criticisms prompted a Tuesday letter from Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem.
“The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Safety is like the purpose guard for every little thing the U.S. authorities does at our borders,” Wyden mentioned firstly of the listening to on Wednesday.
“An individual who holds this job ought to have deep expertise with each customs and with defending our borders, together with unimpeachable judgment. At the moment’s listening to is to find out whether or not Rodney Scott possesses that have, together with the energy of character to be trusted with some of the necessary jobs within the federal authorities,” he mentioned, claiming Scott “falls quick.”
BORDER PATROL CHIEF STEPPING DOWN AFTER BIDEN ADMINISTRATION MOVES TO REPLACE HIM
CBP nominee Rodney Scott, left, and Sen. Ron Wyden (Getty)
The Democrat then delved into particulars of the detention and loss of life of Anastasio Hernandez Rojas, who was allegedly overwhelmed whereas in CBP custody in 2010 when Scott was a high official within the San Diego workplace.
Wyden claimed Scott’s workplace “taped over the one video copy” of the person’s loss of life and tampered with proof, citing courtroom paperwork.
He then referenced a letter he despatched to Noem searching for paperwork on the Rojas incident.
That request spurred Noem to write down a scathing response to the Oregon Democrat, calling out “the minority’s uninformed account of Mr. Scott’s alleged position within the 2010 investigation of the loss of life of Mr. Anastasio Hernandez Rojas (which) was infuriating and offensive to learn.”
“This response seeks to appropriate the file and make clear that Mr. Scott is a devoted and honorable public servant,” she mentioned, including, “Your account alludes to the Committee’s faulty impression that Mr. Scott was current on the unlucky sequence of occasions resulting in Mr. Hernandez Rojas’ loss of life, or that Mr. Scott presided over CBP’s investigation into Mr. Hernandez Rojas’ loss of life.”
21 REPUBLICANS, LED BY BOEBERT, MOVE TO CENSURE BIDEN OVER ‘FAILURE’ TO ENFORCE BORDER LAWS
Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem visits the Mariposa Port of Entry, March 15, 2025, in Nogales, Arizona. (AP Photograph/Alex Brandon)
“Opposite to what your letter describes, Mr. Scott didn’t impede any investigation, nor did he take steps to hide details from investigators.”
“Mr. Scott’s twenty-nine years of service on the U.S. Border Patrol supplies him with the hands-on expertise to supervise one of many world’s largest – and most necessary – legislation enforcement businesses.
“President Trump rightfully prioritizes border safety and acknowledges the necessity for efficient management at CBP. Mr. Scott is extremely certified for the job at hand, and the President made a superb selection in nominating him for this place.”
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, later provided Scott a possibility to answer Wyden.
Scott mentioned he was not concerned within the detention of Rojas, nor was he within the neighborhood when it occurred.
Requested a few controversial subpoena within the case, he mentioned it was for data gathering and to hunt medical data for Rojas since he died in federal custody.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Sen. Mike Crapo gestures throughout a press convention. (Getty)
“Completely not,” Scott later answered when requested if he interfered in that investigation in any respect.
“Secretary… Noem responded to the request and cited official investigations and statutes to notice that Mr. Scott’s ministerial work following the loss of life – together with authorizing a subpoena to request medical data that have been offered to the San Diego police division – was in accordance along with his duties, the legislation {and professional} requirements,” Crapo mentioned in criticizing the allegations.
Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox Information Digital.
He joined Fox Information in 2013 as a author and manufacturing assistant.
Charles covers media, politics and tradition for Fox Information Digital.
Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Temple College with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. Story ideas will be despatched to charles.creitz@fox.com.
