Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has drawn sharp criticism from within the Trump-aligned political sphere for his engagement with prominent Democrats and for expressing a more moderate viewpoint on immigration, which some perceive as a departure from former President Donald Trump's established agenda.
The backlash, reported by the Daily Mail, emerged after Mullin delivered remarks in Oklahoma City advocating for immigration reform and suggesting changes to employment visa programs to address labor shortages. He stated that "We haven't had actual immigration reform since 1959" and that the issue is "political."
Mullin's comments were met with praise from Democrats, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, with whom Mullin reported having a "real good relationship," and Maryland Governor Wes Moore. Moore described Mullin's remarks as a "breath of fresh air" from a senior Trump official.
However, these same remarks ignited fury among MAGA loyalists and conservative figures. Former Customs and Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino criticized Mullin on social media, asserting that "Voters asked for mass deportations. Clear demand. High priority. No ambiguity." Bovino described Mullin's interview as a "masterclass" in delivering "terrible answers."
Steve Bannon, former White House chief strategist, also voiced strong disapproval, suggesting to Politico that Trump should appoint a more hardline figure like Bill Pulte, former acting Director of National Intelligence, to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). "Mullin is the wrong guy at the wrong time for the wrong job - a time when we need focus on ‘mass deportations,’ we get an amnesty advocate," Bannon stated, adding, "The guy running DHS is making the case for 'immigration reform.' We've seen this script before."
Some anonymous senior administration officials reportedly expressed dismay, with one telling the outlet, "It takes a lot to unite this administration around a cohesive point of view. Mullin deserves credit where credit is due. Everyone agrees he sucks donkey butt."
This criticism comes as Mullin's approach is seen by some as a stark contrast to his predecessor, Kristi Noem, who was reportedly fired five months prior partly due to her controversial immigration tactics.
Following the strong reactions from Trump's allies, Mullin appeared to backtrack on his earlier statements. He posted on social media, "NO amnesty for illegal aliens. Ever."
The situation highlights internal tensions within the Trump political movement regarding immigration policy and outreach to political opponents.