Transcript: Border czar Tom Homan on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” July 19, 2026

Border Czar Tom Homan Addresses Recent Fatal Incidents on Face the Nation

Interview Transcript from July 19, 2026

bizeconanalysis.com – The following represents a comprehensive transcript of the conversation between Margaret Brennan and Tom Homan, the Trump administration's border czar, which was broadcast on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on July 19, 2026.

Opening Remarks and Recent Tragedies

Margaret Brennan welcomed viewers back to the program, introducing President Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, who returned to the show for this segment.

MARGARET BRENNAN: And we're back with President Trump's border czar, Tom Homan. Welcome back to Face the Nation.

TOM HOMAN: Thanks for having me.

Brennan then outlined several concerning incidents that had captured national attention. She noted that two immigrants lost their lives within a single week's timeframe. One tragic incident occurred in Maine and proved fatal, happening just days after another shooting in Houston. Additionally, Brennan referenced a separate incident in Florida where a man fleeing from immigration agents was struck and killed by a tractor trailer.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Mr. Homan, we saw that two immigrants were shot in the span of a week. There was that one in Maine that was fatal just days after another one in Houston. We also saw that man fleeing agents in Florida who then was struck and killed by a tractor trailer. I know you've been trying to keep the department out of the headlines ever since that streak in Minnesota that was deadly. How do you respond to those who say what's happening now looks like very little has changed?

Homan's Response on Investigations and Public Perception

Homan emphasized the importance of allowing investigations to proceed before drawing conclusions. He explained that comprehensive reviews typically involve cell phone footage, municipal surveillance cameras, witness statements, and affidavits from both officers and bystanders.

TOM HOMAN: Well, you know, first of all, we'll wait and see what the investigations- how they play out, right? Because, you know, I don't want to get ahead of investigations on who's at fault, what exactly happened. Because we all know when the investigations happen, there's going to be cell phone video, there may be city cameras, and of course, then you got witness statements and affidavits from the officer, and- and witnesses. So, we got to let the investigations play out.

While declining to comment extensively on the ongoing investigations themselves, Homan acknowledged that Markwayne Mullin had taken action regarding the safety of agents and operational procedures. This resulted in a temporary pause on enforcement during vehicle stops.

TOM HOMAN: So, I don't want to really comment on investigation themselves, but you know, I think, you know, Markwayne Mullin, you know, took some action, and in concern of the safety of the agents and- and how we do operations, and- and that's why he did that, you know, that- that- that pause on- on enforcement on vehicle stops.

Homan expressed concern about rhetoric from sanctuary cities and protesters, particularly statements from members of Congress suggesting ICE lacks legitimacy as a law enforcement agency. He believed such commentary emboldened individuals to refuse compliance with ICE officers.

TOM HOMAN: But you know, I- my concern is I've never- I've done this since 1984. My concern is I think a lot of the rhetoric that you see every day, especially in sanctuary cities, and at these protests that- resist, members of Congress saying ICE isn't a real law enforcement agency. I think that- I actually think that emboldens some people to say, "I'm not going to comply with ICE." And I think no matter what people think of ICE, no matter what you think of immigration law, you should always comply with law enforcement.

Addressing Misidentification Concerns

Brennan raised the point that in both the Houston and Maine shootings, the victims were not the intended targets. She asked whether Homan had successfully apprehended the individuals they were actually seeking.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Yes. Yes, but in the shootings in both Houston and Maine, the people who were killed were not the intended targets. Have you caught the people you're actually looking for?

TOM HOMAN: One of them, I believe, we did, but you know that happens in law enforcement all the time. I mean, we're working, you know, we get leads on individuals, and you say, okay, well, this subject lives at this house, he drives this car, and when that subject leaves that house, you know, 6:00 in the morning, and someone gets in that car from that house, you know, they assume, 'okay this is our guy, and they'll do a vehicle stop. And depending on when they make that stop and and that person complies, either they're going to be arrested or released. That's the way it's supposed to be.

Homan explained that misidentification occurs daily across all law enforcement agencies, not just ICE. Drawing on his experience as a police officer, he emphasized that this is an inherent challenge in law enforcement work.

TOM HOMAN: So you know, law enforcement deals with misidentity every day across the country, not just ICE, every law enforcement agency. I was a cop, I know- I know that happens.

Unmarked Vehicles and Compliance

Brennan pointed out that the Houston incident involved an unmarked car, raising questions about whether individuals could identify ICE officers in the videos. Homan disagreed with this characterization, noting that officers have emergency lights and insignia, and that many NYPD officers in New York City also drive unmarked vehicles to help locate individuals who wish to avoid detection.

TOM HOMAN: Well, I got to disagree with that. No, they have emergency lights. Officers have insignia, so when they get out of that car and approach the car, you can clearly see the law enforcement officers. Again this is, these people--

MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, in the video that has been public, the- it's not a marked car.

TOM HOMAN: --these- these people. I'm not saying it's a marked car, but they have emergency lights and sirens. So when they pull someone over, they want to activate the emergency lights. A lot of- lot of police departments- I'm in New York City right now, a lot of NYPD officers are driving unmarked vehicles, and- and that helps them find people that don't want to be found.

Homan concluded by stating that while investigations would ultimately reveal the full picture, the victims might still be alive had they simply complied with the vehicle stop by federal law enforcement officers.

TOM HOMAN: Right, so you know, but bottom line is, we'll see when the investigation plays out, but they would be alive today if they simply complied with- with a vehicle stop by federal law enforcement. Just comply. You can- if you don't think you've been treated right and and they had no reason to stop you, then there's there's avenues to take them to court to sue--