WASHINGTON, March 5 (UPI) -- Democratic senators on the Foreign Relations Committee have sharply criticized Troy Edgar, the nominee for ambassador to El Salvador, over his actions as Department of Homeland Security deputy secretary under President Donald Trump.
At Edgar's nomination hearing Thursday, Democrats questioned his role in violent DHS activity, including the two fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Prettii by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection agents and repeated obstacles to members of Congress to visits ICE facilities.
"Unfortunately, you've been part of an administration that's taking away Americans' rights to freedom here at home, due process rights as well as First Amendment rights, and it is hard to trust you there that you'll stand up for important American principles as our American ambassador to El Salvador, if confirmed," said Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.
Edgar's nomination was part of a major shift in the DHS leadership structure, as Trump announced on Truth Social Thursday afternoon that he was firing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem just hours after the nomination hearing. Trump said he would replace Noem with Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., pending confirmation.
