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Trump’s CBP Nominee Faces Allegations of Cover-Up in Migrant Death

Rodney Scott's nomination to lead Customs and Border Protection is under scrutiny as Senate hearings begin, with claims of misconduct and ethical concerns raised by a former official.

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Rodney Scott, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be chief of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, prepares to testify during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee on Capitol Hill Wednesday. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images News)
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Overview

  • Rodney Scott, nominated by Donald Trump to lead U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is accused of supervising a cover-up in the 2010 death of migrant Anastasio Hernández Rojas.
  • James Wong, a former CBP internal affairs official, alleges Scott oversaw a team that unlawfully obtained medical records to manage public relations after Hernández Rojas was beaten and tased by CBP agents.
  • The Senate Finance Committee is set to evaluate Scott’s nomination, with Democrats raising concerns over his handling of the incident and broader ethical issues.
  • Scott’s past controversies include forced resignation in 2021, membership in a Facebook group with racist content, and public denial of family separation as policy.
  • Congressional inquiries into CBP's accountability and use-of-force practices have intensified, with new calls for transparency from the Department of Homeland Security.