The White House has withdrawn the nomination of former Oklahoma state trooper Lance Schroyer to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement. A notice published Thursday confirmed the decision, which comes less than three months after President Donald Trump tapped Schroyer for the role in June.
The nomination faced pushback and was held up in the Senate. Critics had criticized administration officials for nominating Schroyer because he has no formal experience working in ICE, an agency tasked with leading the president's aggressive immigration enforcement agenda.
The move is seen as a setback for Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. It ensures that the agency, which is currently leading a mass deportation push, will remain without a Senate-confirmed permanent director for at least a while longer.
The White House has not provided an explanation for pulling the nomination.