What do you know? Someone is leaving Trump’s ‘cabinet’ of his own volition. He decided it was time to go. This guy didn’t appear to be a complete jerk, but he got stuck in a position where he was supposed to do certain things, but apparently without the actual power to get those things done. Good for him for getting out. He hasn’t been in the news much at all. He was sent to Minneapolis as the acting director of ICE, and otherwise, not much has been said. Gratitude to Raw Story:
Todd Lyons, the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, plans to step down in May, according to The New York Times. “In a letter to Markwayne Mullin, the homeland security secretary, Mr. Lyons said that it had been a ‘tremendous honor‘ to lead the agency, but that he had decided to leave to ‘spend more time with my family,'” said the report.
That could very well have been the actual reason, as far as we know. Many people decide enough is enough, pack their bags, and go home. We don’t actually know. We won’t, either. Unlike Noem, he kept his private life private.
Lyons emphasized that “My sons are both reaching a pivotal point in their lives, and my wife and I wish to spend as much time as possible with them. “This was not an easy decision, but I believe it is the right one for my family and me at this time.” This comes after Trump has made a series of shakeups at the Department of Homeland Security amid nationwide backlash and sinking approval for his immigration policy.
The more thought I put into this, the more I realize just how little we know about Mr. Lyons. So, I went and looked him up. It looks to have been affecting his health. He denies it, of course, but he was hospitalized twice. He also tangled with Stephen Miller, who apparently screamed at him daily about the stupid quotas. If Miller were yelling at me daily, I’d probably leave, too. Can’t stand that guy. Lyons joined ICE in 2007. Yowza.
Most notably, Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino was reassigned and moved to retire after the disastrous federal occupation of Minneapolis known as Operation Metro Surge, in which federal agents killed two civilian protesters, Renée Good and Alex Pretti, both U.S. citizens. ICE was accused of violating at least 96 court orders in Minnesota, and Secretary Kristi Noem herself was shortly fired amid a spending controversy.
It was a good thing I did some research. I was under the mistaken impression that Lyons was an okay guy. Apparently, he was not. Oops. Nevertheless, his last day is May 31. It should be something to see who takes over after he leaves. Frankly, it would be a relief to get the hell out of Washington and away from Trump and his sycophants. So long, Mr. Lyons. Farewell.
See you soon!
Friends, I know everyone begs you for money. I promise that among all those asking for spare change, we are the smallest and the hardest-working. We’re a group of elderly, disabled people, except for one writer in his mid-50s. The rest of us are in our sixties and seventies, and this is a labor of love. All we’re asking for is the chance to keep telling the truth about Trump and help ensure democracy survives. If you can help, please do. Thank you. Ursula
