Brandon Judd, Former Border Patrol Union Chief, Named Trump’s Ambassador to Chile

Brandon Judd, a retired Border Patrol agent, has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Chile. Trump’s transition team confirmed the nomination on Thursday evening.

In his announcement, Trump expressed his confidence in Judd, stating, “I have personally known and worked with Brandon over the past nine years.” He praised Judd for his dedicated advocacy for Border Patrol agents, particularly in efforts related to securing the U.S.-Mexico border.

Despite his background, Judd was not appointed to Homeland Security or other border-related agencies. His nomination was among four others made public on Thursday, which included former Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott for the role of head of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Caleb Vitello, nominated to lead U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Ambassador roles in smaller nations often go to key political supporters and significant contributors to presidential campaigns. Judd has been involved with the Border Patrol for nearly 30 years, retiring this past May. He has served as the head of the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC), which represents a substantial portion of the agency’s approximately 16,500 agents, while also being a staunch supporter of Trump.

Earlier this year, Judd notably endorsed Senator Kristen Sinema’s border bill. However, the proposal quickly stalled after Trump expressed his opposition, aiming to keep border issues at the forefront during the upcoming November election.

In March, Judd attended the State of the Union Address as a guest of Sinema. Sinema has collaborated with Senator James Lankford, a Republican, and Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat, to negotiate a new immigration proposal involving the White House. Last year, President Biden sought $105 billion from Congress for various initiatives, but negotiations have stalled due to ongoing discussions concerning border security measures.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced a 400-page bill that encompasses military assistance for Ukraine and Israel, along with long-awaited border measures. Meanwhile, Biden has urged Congress to advance a bipartisan bill amounting to $118.28 billion.

Judd was mentioned among 13 Arizona officials in a press release concerning the new bill, joining figures such as Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. He expressed support for the Border Act of 2024, emphasizing that it would provide Border Patrol agents with essential legal authorities that they have lacked historically.

Highlighting the challenges facing Customs and Border Protection, Judd revealed that the agency has averaged 8,000 apprehensions daily since January 2021. Many of the persons apprehended were released under a policy known as “catch-and-release.” This includes those protected under Title 42, which enabled the swift expulsion of individuals experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks, contributing to inflated crossing figures.

Judd noted that the proposed bill would expedite the removal of single adults without the lengthy judicial procedures that typically result in their release into the U.S. interior. He believes this measure would effectively decrease illegal border crossings and refocus agents on their primary tasks. “While not perfect, the Border Act of 2024 is a step in the right direction,” he stated, assuring that the NBPC supports its prompt passage.

Despite gaining traction, the bipartisan proposal never made it to the Senate floor after House Speaker Mike Johnson deemed it “dead on arrival.”

In Chile, public sentiment regarding migrants, particularly those from Venezuela and Haiti, has soured, especially since 2017 when many fled dire conditions in their home countries. Judd and the NBPC were early supporters of Trump during the 2016 election—marking a first for the union representing thousands of agents—and continued their support through the 2020 election, maintaining criticism of President Biden during the ongoing election cycle.

In past election years, Judd’s alignment with conservative politics strengthened. For example, the NBPC endorsed Blake Masters during the 2022 election, although Masters lost to Senator Mark Kelly. In 2024, members of the NBPC supported Vice Presidential candidate J.D. Vance at a rally prior to the elections.

Judd has also established himself as a prominent conservative commentator. He has been vocal in his critiques of the Biden administration, frequently promoting the controversial “great replacement” theory, which posits that national Democrats aim to change electoral demographics by facilitating immigration.

In 2022, during a Fox News segment, Judd claimed, “They want to stay in power, and the only way to stay in power is to continue to stay elected.” Such statements exemplify his continued engagement in national discussions surrounding immigration policy and border security.