Donald Trump’s border czar Tom Homan cops to ICE ‘vetting process fail’ over agent involved in fatal shooting following domestic violence allegations
White House border czar Tom Homan admitted that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent involved in the fatal shooting of a Colombian national in Maine shouldn’t have been hired if past domestic violence allegations against him were proven true. Homan acknowledged what he described as a possible failure in the agency’s vetting process while confirming that ICE has launched an internal review into both the officer’s background and the circumstances surrounding the shooting. His comments come as the July 13 shooting incident continues to draw national scrutiny over ICE’s use-of-force policies.
Tom Homan questions ICE’s hiring and vetting process
Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, Homan addressed reports concerning David Brouillette, an Army veteran and former Department of Veterans Affairs police officer who fired the fatal shots during the Maine operation, saying the allegations surrounding the officer warrant close examination. “If [the domestic abuse allegations] are facts, I don’t think he should ever have cleared vetting,” Homan said. “How did the vetting process fail? Was that information not available? Did they not know? So, there’s a separate administrative investigation on what happened here.”
He added that ICE is reviewing whether officials responsible for hiring had access to information about Brouillette’s background. “If this person had that type of history, it would have been a vetting issue, and it should have been brought to the attention of those who make those decisions,” Homan said on State of the Union.
Domestic violence allegations against ICE agent
Court records and interviews cited allegations against Brouillette from two former spouses involving domestic violence, mental health concerns, harassment and protective orders. One former wife alleged she experienced severe domestic violence during their marriage, while another claimed Brouillette stalked and harassed her and physically abused one of her daughters. Family court records referenced by the Associated Press included requests for temporary protection orders, with one judge temporarily ordering Brouillette to surrender his firearms. Brouillette denied the allegations in court filings.
The reports also prompted some Democrats to question how the officer passed ICE’s screening process during the agency’s rapid expansion under President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown agenda.
ICE training and operational policies also under review
Homan said the ongoing investigation extends beyond the officer’s background and includes a broader review of ICE’s operational procedures. “There’s several things under review. The training is under review. I know this specific case, as far as the vetting, is under review by the internal affairs section,” he said.
Despite acknowledging potential shortcomings, Homan defended ICE’s overall hiring process. “ICE has about 30,000 employees. They all go through vetting. This is kind of a rare instance,” he said. He also noted that acting ICE Director David Venturella has implemented interim changes, including requiring at least one body camera during vehicle stops and assigning experienced agents to support field operations.
Fatal Maine shooting remains under investigation
The controversy stems from the July 13 shooting of Joan Sebastian Durán Guerrero, a 25-year-old Colombian national who was legally authorized to work in the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security said agents were conducting surveillance at the last known address of a person with a final removal order when they attempted to stop a vehicle. According to DHS, the driver tried to flee, prompting an officer to fire out of concern for public safety. The incident drew widespread attention after DHS confirmed that Guerrero was not the intended target of the operation. His death sparked protests across Maine and renewed criticism after it was revealed that the agents involved were not wearing body cameras. The FBI, the Maine Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General are all investigating the shooting.