Bonner steps down as CBP chief
Robert C. Bonner has resigned as commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Homeland Security said.
The Los Angeles Times first reported in Tuesday’s edition that Bonner planned to step down. Bonner told the paper he is exhausted after four years at the helm of an agency that has undergone massive change and been on the frontline of the war on terrorism since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Close associates have said in the past year that Bonner has desired to move back to California to be closer to his daughter and grandchildren. The Times said Bonner, a former federal judge, is considering a return to private law practice. Bonner worked for Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in Los Angeles before being named to head the U.S. Customs Service.
“One of his signatures as a leader is that he put his heart and soul into the job and he’s tapped out,” said Brian Goebel, who served as a senior advisor to Bonner during his first two years on the job.
Bonner had sought to leave by the end of October, but agreed to DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff’s request to stay on through Thanksgiving to help with a smooth transition, said a CBP source speaking on background.
Chertoff called Bonner an “outstanding public servant” and said “his guidance and efforts have been instrumental in balancing our need to preserve the integrity of our borders without sacrificing the free flow of commerce on which our nation and the global community depends.”
Bonner managed the transition of the Customs Service from the Treasury Department to the new Department of Homeland Security in 2003. Under the reorganization the agency assumed responsibility over the Border Patrol, parts of the Immigration Service and Agriculture Department inspection force.
He is credited with developing and implementing the Container Security Initiative, the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, and the 24-hour rule for collecting cargo declarations in advance for anti-terrorism screening.
“It has been a true honor to serve this president and our country, especially during such a critical time following the 9/11 terrorist attacks,” Bonner said in a statement released by CBP.
“I am proud to have been a part of the first Homeland Security team under Secretary (Tom) Ridge, and to have been given the task to create one frontline, law enforcement agency for our nations borders — CBP,” he said.
Bonner submitted his resignation letter to President Bush Sept. 24, four years to the day that he was sworn in as commissioner of Customs.