Topline<\/p>\n
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is facing growing backlash among prominent figures in President Donald Trump\u2019s base who say he\u2019s too soft on immigration, after he advocated for some reforms, including an expansion of permanent visas. <\/p>\n
Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin speaks during a news conference in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on July 17, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Getty ImagesKey Facts<\/p>\n
Mullin made the case during a speech Saturday at the National Governors Association summer meeting for \u201cmore permanent solutions\u201d for work visas, including favoring additional permanent work permits as opposed to temporary ones to fill labor shortages, arguing some jobs that were once seasonal are becoming year-round, such as dairy farming. <\/p>\n
Mullin, in what Trump\u2019s base widely viewed as an attempt at damage control, later posted on X, \u201cNO amnesty for illegal aliens. Ever.\u201d<\/p>\n
Multiple MAGA figures responded with outrage, including Steve Bannon, who told Playbook<\/a> on Monday, \u201cMullin is the wrong guy at the wrong time for the wrong job\u2014a time when we need focus on \u2018mass deportations,\u2019 we get an amnesty advocate,\u201d adding that MAGA wants Trump to appoint controversial outgoing interim Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte as DHS secretary. <\/p>\n Right-wing podcaster Jack Posobiec also told Playbook, \u201cthere is a growing wave among MAGA to find a DHS secretary who puts deportations first.\u201d<\/p>\n Laura Loomer called for Mullin to be fired, writing she\u2019s \u201cso fed up,\u201d while conservative activist Robby Starbuck wrote, \u201cthe weakness he projects is disturbing,\u201d and former border patrol commander-at-large Gregory Bovino called Mullin\u2019s interview \u201ca masterclass in how to give terrible answers.\u201d<\/p>\n Right-wing political commentator Tomi Lahren accused Mullin of wanting to \u201cappease liberal media and big labor,\u201d and right-wing influencer Nick Sortor called Mullin a \u201cJOKE\u201d and said his comments were \u201cINFURIATING.\u201d<\/p>\n Crucial Quote<\/p>\n \u201cIs immigration reform possible? No,\u201d Mullin said, adding, \u201cdo you really need immigration reform? Yes, you do, but can we work with the system we have? Yes.\u201d<\/p>\n Tangent<\/p>\n Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro revealed last week he and Mullin \u201cworked together discreetly\u201d on DHS\u2019s now-canceled plans to build two immigration detention centers in the state, Politico reported<\/a>. Shapiro announced last week DHS had reversed course on turning two warehouses into Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities. Mullin told Playbook he and Shapiro \u201chave a real good relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n Contra<\/p>\n The Trump administration defended Mullin in statements to Politico. White House Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson said \u201cthe president has confidence in Secretary Mullin and his entire Administration to carry out the agenda the American people voted for.\u201d An unnamed DHS spokesperson also pointed to stats that show deportations, self deportations and arrests at record levels under Mullin.<\/p>\n Key Background<\/p>\n Trump fired his initial pick for DHS secretary, Kristi Noem, in March after criticism of her leadership style and two fatal ICE shootings in Minnesota prompted a wave of backlash. Mullin, then a senator representing Oklahoma, resigned from his post to fill the DHS role. Mullin said during his Senate confirmation hearing he wanted to repair the agency\u2019s image, telling senators, \u201cmy goal in six months is that we\u2019re not in the lead story every single day. My goal is for people to understand we\u2019re out there, we\u2019re protecting them, and we\u2019re working with them.\u201d Immigration officials reduced their public-facing street sweeps in the wake of the shootings in Minnesota, though ICE arrests have not subsided, reaching record numbers under Mullin\u2019s leadership. Still, he\u2019s faced numerous public controversies, including fatal shootings in Houston and Maine during ICE vehicle stops. Mullin also faced backlash from Trump\u2019s MAGA base when DHS announced a moratorium on vehicle stops, only for Trump to advocate publicly for the policy to stay in place less than a day later, prompting DHS to reverse the change. <\/p>\n further reading<\/p>\n Senate Committee Approves Mullin\u2019s Nomination As DHS Chief<\/a> (Forbes)<\/p>\n Trump Says ICE \u2018Doing Great Job\u2019\u2014Contradicts DHS Pause On Stops<\/a> (Forbes)<\/p>\n