Mike Banks Named New U.S. Border Patrol Chief

Mike Banks, who has been Texas's 'border czar' under Governor Greg Abbott, has been appointed as the new U.S. Border Patrol chief by the incoming Trump administration. Banks, a retired Border Patrol agent, will succeed Jason Owens, who is retiring in April after a 28-year career with the agency. This appointment marks a significant shift from the usual practice of selecting career officials for the role, as Banks has been a key figure in Texas' stringent border security efforts. He played a pivotal role in Operation Lone Star, an initiative aimed at countering what Texas views as federal inaction on border enforcement. The move has received support from Texas leaders, including Senator John Cornyn, who praised Banks as a knowledgeable choice given Texas's extensive border issues. Banks's leadership is expected to continue focusing on aggressive border control measures.