On the tail of the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and the withdrawal of the nomination of would-be ICE director Ronald Vitiello, Secret Service Director Randolph “Tex” Alles is leaving his position, as well, CNN first reported Monday.
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders soon confirmed the news to multiple outlets, saying Alles would be “leaving shortly” without specifying whether he was voluntarily resigning.
SARAH SANDERS: USSS Director Randolph Alles "will be leaving shortly and President Trump has selected James M. Murray, a career member of the USSS, to take over as director beginning in May." pic.twitter.com/X5908S0NGD
— Saagar Enjeti (@esaagar) April 8, 2019
CNN reported that President Donald Trump instructed acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney to fire Alles. But in a statement shared with TPM, Alles denied that characterization. He did say that he “was told weeks ago by the Administration that transitions in leadership should be expected across the Department of Homeland Security.” (Read his full statement bel0w.)
CNN also reported that there could be additional high-level removals at DHS in what one unnamed source described as a “purge.”
Per the report, DHS General Counsel John Mitnick and U.S. Citizienship and Immigration Services Director Francis Cissna “are expected to be gone soon.” CNN added that the White House could remove additional officials at the department as well.
NBC News also reported that there could be additional ousters, but did not confirm which officials could be fired.
Various reports have indicated that White House adviser Stephen Miller, known for his aggressive stance on immigration and the asylum process, was involved in both Nielsen’s ouster and the withdrawal of Vitiello’s nomination.
On Friday, after announcing the withdrawal of Vitiello’s nomination, Trump told reporters: “Ron’s a good man, but we’re going in a tougher direction.”
Read the Secret Service’s statement on Alles’ ouster, which includes a statement from Alles himself, below:
Effective May 2019, Randolph D. “Tex” Alles will step down as Director of the U.S. Secret Service. President Donald Trump appointed Randolph D. “Tex” Alles as the 25th Director of the United States Secret Service on April 25, 2017. Prior to his appointment as Secret Service Director, Alles had a distinguished career in public service spanning more than 43 years.
Alles previously held leadership positions at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Prior to joining CBP, Alles served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 35 years, retiring in 2011 as a Major General. He served in numerous leadership positions in both the Marine Corps and joint commands.
In his message to the Secret Service workforce on Monday, Alles offered his regrets that media reporting on his departure were incorrect.
“No doubt you have seen media reports regarding my “firing.” I assure you that this is not the case, and in fact was told weeks ago by the Administration that transitions in leadership should be expected across the Department of Homeland Security. The President has directed an orderly transition in leadership for this agency and I intend to abide by that direction. It is my sincere regret that I was not able to address the workforce prior to this announcement.
It has been my great honor to serve as Director of the U.S. Secret Service. I want to personally thank you all for a job well done. Your pride, strength and resilience is what has, and will continue to, allow this agency to accomplish great things. Your dedication and sacrifice continue to make the U.S. Secret Service an elite law enforcement agency; one that will remain so well into the future.
Assistant Director of the Office of Protective Operations James Murray has been named the incoming Director of the Secret Service. Jim is a consummate professional, a true leader and I have great confidence in his capabilities. Please give him the outstanding support that you have shown me these past two years.”
