Border chief Magnus resigns

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Chris Magnus resigned Saturday, a day after he revealed that Biden administration officials had wanted him to leave his role.

Magnus had said Friday that he would not comply with the request to step down, which he said came from Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas. Magnus, who is known as a progressive law enforcement leader, struggled to establish a public profile after his Senate confirmation in December.

The decision to resign came after a tumultuous week in the Department of Homeland Security, in which Magnus went public in an interview with The Times about the order from administration officials to leave his position as border chief.

“I resigned because I believe this decision provides me with the best path for advancing my commitment to professional, innovative, and community-engaged policing,” he said in a statement to The Times. “I appreciate having had this opportunity to serve and to work with many dedicated colleagues.”

Pressure was on Magnus as Republicans have pointed to the Biden administration’s struggles to keep up with an increasing number of migrants crossing the border.

Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, said President Biden accepted the resignation and thanked him for his service. Mayorkas told CBP staffers about the move in an email Saturday and informed them that Troy Miller, a career CBP official, would take over as head of the agency in an acting role.