ICE Acting Director Jonathan Fahey Resigns After 2 Weeks in Office
Jonathan Fahey, the acting director of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has resigned after taking the position two weeks ago.
Jonathan Fahey Resigned From His Post
Several government officials under Trump's administration resigned from their posts after the riot in the U.S. Capitol. This time, it was Jonathan Fahey who resigned as the ICE's acting director. He was the latest government official who resigned before President Donald Trump leaves the White House.
Fahey's resignation was first reported in CNN and BuzzFeed News on Wednesday evening. The reports cited an official of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and a source with knowledge of the situation.
According to a The Hill report, ICE Press Secretary Jenny Burke confirmed the resignation of Jonathan Fahey, but Burke did not give the reason behind his resignation.
The decision of Fahey to resign from his post comes after acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf announced his resignation on Monday. Wolf has served the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for 14 months under the Trump administration.
It can be remembered that Jonathan Fahey took the position two weeks ago from Tony Pham, who resigned from his post last month after he assumed the office last August.
So far, ICE has had six directors under the Trump administration, but the Senate has not confirmed anyone from them in the past four years.
Read also: Acting Homeland Security Chief Chad Wolf to Resign Amid Terror Fears
DHS is Under Pressure Before Biden's Inauguration
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf decided to resign from his post because of the ongoing litigation that challenges his position's validity. It was reportedly the reason for his sooner-than-planned departure from his work.
Changes of leadership in the DHS come amid the growing concerns about the potential security risks surrounding President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration. This was after the riot that occurred in the U.S. Capitol last week in an attempt to stop lawmakers from certifying the results of the election.
News about Wolf's resignation in the DHS comes just after an hour that the agency announced that the Secret Service will begin implementing security measures six days earlier than planned or before Biden's inauguration.
After the Capitol riot, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has warned of the potentially armed protest that might emerge this weekend. If this will happen, this might create chaos before the inauguration.
Read also: AG Barr Considers Early Resignation Before End of Trump's Term
Other Cabinet Members Who Resigned from Their Post
Jonathan Fahey and Chad Wolf are not the only government officials who resigned from their posts just weeks before Trump will leave the White House.
Other Trump administration members who resigned after the unprecedented attack in the Capitol were Transportation Secretary Elaine Cha and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. Both of them cited the violence at the Capitol as the reason for their resignation.
The ICE has come under scaling public scrutiny for controversial policies and operations throughout Trump's term. Reports said Jonathan Fahey's deputy, Tae Johnson, will now serve as the new ICE acting director.