WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators on the Senate Homeland Security Committee bared their fury at Homeland Security Secretary Mark Wayne Mullin Tuesday during a heated hearing, labeling his threat to pull Customs and Border Protection officers from some airports as “insane.” The opposition also accused the department of reckless spending and a disregard for the rule of law.
During his confirmation hearing earlier this year, Mullin portrayed himself as a steadying hand for the department after a series of controversies that plagued the previous administration. But Democrats now question his willingness to change the department’s approach to immigration enforcement.
“I want to be very clear, Secretary Mullin, I’m watching closely to see what steps you now take as the new DHS secretary,” said Washington Sen. Patty Murray. “Even now, we are seeing some outrageous proposals.”
Criticism over Mullin’s CBP Airport Threat
Murray cited Mullin’s threats to withdraw CBP officers from airports in so‑called sanctuary cities—jurisdictions that do not cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement—as “insane” and warned the move would spell an economic crisis for both blue and red states.
The proposal has shaken the travel industry. Airlines, the U.S. Travel Association, and even Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy condemned the idea, stressing that it would jeopardize international travel, especially as the World Cup draws millions of visitors to the United States.
Although the Secretary has not yet unveiled a concrete plan, he repeatedly suggested the possibility in public statements and at a meeting with the trade group. The absence of a formal proposal, however, left many lawmakers unconvinced.
Murray also highlighted that the White House still holds significant influence over DHS. “I have yet to see you take back the reins from Stephen Miller,” she said, referring to the Trump adviser who helped shape the administration’s hardline immigration stance.
Mullin Defends Detainee Treatment in New Jersey
Sen. Chris Murphy confronted Mullin over conditions at an ICE detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, where protesters and congressmen reported unsanitary food, delayed medical care, sewage backups, and pressure on detainees to sign deportation paperwork. The department has denied any abuse, but Mullin was quick to criticize the detractors.
He noted the facility holds about 700 detainees—well within its 1,000‑person capacity—and claimed health inspectors found “zero violations.” He also accused some protestors of physically assaulting DHS officers.
Peters Accuses Trump Administration of Politicizing Disaster Response
Mullin also faced scrutiny from Michigan Democrat Gary Peters, who pointed to the Department of Homeland Security’s disaster aid decisions as showing partisan bias. Peters asked whether “it’s right for a president to approve disaster aid based on whether a state voted for him.”
Mullin responded that Trump’s recent approvals and denials applied to both red and blue states and that aid should not be politicized. He emphasized that disaster assistance is guided by the level of damage, not political affiliation.
Republicans, aside from a few isolated positions, broadly supported Mullin’s stance as they view the Secretary as upholding the rule of law. The event marked his first Senate appearance since the March confirmation hearing; he will testify in the House regarding the budget on Wednesday.
Associated Press writers Rio Yamat and Gabriela Aoun Angueira contributed to this story.
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