Trump's 'Adult in the Room': Is Tom Homan Really the Moderate?

400,000. That's how many undocumented immigrants were deported in 2013 under Barack Obama's administration—a historic high. The man orchestrating those operations? Tom Homan.

When President Donald Trump announced that border czar Tom Homan would take over immigration enforcement in Minnesota, replacing the controversial Greg Bovino, politicians and commentators breathed a collective sigh of relief. Finally, they said, an "adult in the room"—someone with bipartisan experience who could dial down the chaos.

But a closer look at Homan's record reveals he might not be the moderate voice many hope for.

The Obama-Era 'Deportation Expert'

Homan certainly has credentials. He's worked in border enforcement since before ICE existed, rising through the ranks during Obama's first term. As ICE's director of enforcement removal operations starting in 2013, he oversaw that record-breaking year of deportations.

When left-wing critics called Obama the "deporter-in-chief," they were really talking about Homan's work. Obama clearly valued his effectiveness—in January 2016, Homan received the Presidential Rank Award, described by ICE as "the nation's highest civil service award."

"Obama believed in border enforcement. He took steps to secure the border," Homan reflected to the New York Times. "So I did my job. I take it President Obama thought I did it pretty well, and he gave me an award."

This bipartisan recognition is partly why Republican lawmakers like Lindsey Graham and Jim Banks praised Trump's decision to put Homan in charge of Minnesota operations.

The 'Kids in Cages' Architect

But Homan's Trump 1.0 tenure tells a different story. As acting ICE director, he made headlines for saying undocumented immigrants "should be afraid" and played a key role in the family separation policy that dominated 2018 headlines.

That policy resulted in more than 5,500 children being separated from their parents. It took years for hundreds of families to be reunited. While Homan argued it "wasn't about 'Let's see how we can harm these people,'" he later conceded that "the reunification process could have been better."

The controversy ultimately led to his retirement from government service.

Trump 2.0: A Kinder, Gentler Homan?

Returning as Trump's "border czar" in 2025, Homan has struck a more measured tone—at least compared to his first stint. Taking over Minnesota operations, he emphasized: "I didn't come to Minnesota for photo ops or headlines. You haven't seen me."

He's acknowledged past mistakes, saying "Nothing's perfect, anything can be improved on." He's repeatedly stressed "targeted" operations in Minnesota and suggested a more careful approach than his predecessor.

But his rhetoric hasn't always been measured. In 2019, reflecting on a congressional hearing, he told Fox News he "actually thought about getting up and throwing that man a beating right there in the middle of the room." That "man" was a US congressman.

Last year, he threatened Boston officials: "I'm coming to Boston, and I'm bringing hell with me." He's also suggested military action against Mexican cartels, warning they "would be foolish to take on the military."

The Relativity Problem

Part of Homan's "moderate" reputation comes from being surrounded by more extreme figures. Stephen Miller, Greg Bovino, and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem have all taken more antagonistic approaches, making Homan appear reasonable by comparison.

Unlike his colleagues, Homan hasn't explicitly labeled anyone "domestic terrorists" (though he's suggested some actions "could fall within that definition"). He's defended due process rights, saying: "People have a right to claim asylum. They have a right to due process. And you know what? They do."

There are also reports of feuding between Homan and Noem over style and approach, suggesting internal disagreements about enforcement tactics.

The Normalization Effect

Homan's case illustrates a troubling trend in the Trump era: controversial figures can appear normalized simply because they're surrounded by more extreme personalities. When you've dealt with Bovino's chaos, Miller's rhetoric, and Noem's confrontational style, Homan's approach might seem refreshingly professional.

But does context change character? Homan's record includes overseeing historic deportation numbers, implementing family separation policies, and making threatening statements toward elected officials. His recent emphasis on "targeted" operations and "by the book" procedures might represent genuine evolution—or simply better messaging.

The real test won't be Homan's rhetoric, but his results. Will Minnesota see the "targeted, professional" operations he's promised, or will the fundamental approach remain unchanged beneath a more polished veneer?