Mullin, Democrats trade barbs in tense DHS funding hearing in Congress

This wasn't Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin's first congressional rodeo.

During a June 3 House Homeland Security Committee hearing to discuss the Department of Homeland Security's budget, lawmakers grilled Mullin over court orders restricting immigration enforcement, private jets and allegations of racism among agencies.

Mullin took over from former Secretary Kristi Noem in March after she was fired not long after lawmakers pressed her about the department’s massive spending. And Mullin, a 48-year-old former Republican senator from Oklahoma and former mixed martial arts fighter, is also known for fiery exchanges with congressional committees, once challenging a Teamsters leader during a 2023 hearing.

The June 3 gathering, lasting over three hours, was no less heated.

"Secretaries of Homeland Security under President Trump have set a very low bar – some might even say so low it was set in hell," Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Mississippi, the top Democrat on the committee, told Mullin in opening remarks. "I wish I was more encouraged by your early actions as secretary that you’ll clear that low bar."

Mullin used his opening remarks to respond to Thompson. He accused the lawmaker of being reckless by raising the racism allegations and allowing a record shutdown of DHS, which ended in late April after about 75 days.

"I won't have time to go through all the ridiculous accusations you made toward the Trump administration," Mullin said, "but I do feel a privilege sitting here in front of you."

At several points, Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-New York, the committee chairman, stopped the hearing over personal attacks between Democrats and Mullin. The hearing came a day after Mullin appeared before a Senate committee for congressional funding requests for his agency. Democrats previously led a shutdown of DHS for agency reforms after federal officials fatally shot two American citizens in Minneapolis earlier in 2026.

Here are three tense moments from Mullin's hearing.

Mullin, Democrats spar over contentious court rulings

Mullin said his department, which includes U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, always follows the law. Democrats asked whether that includes federal court orders, and Mullin responded that depends on whether a higher court overturns a ruling.

"We see lower benches and even upper benches that make decisions based on political reasons," Mullin told Rep. Dan Goldman, D-New York.

"So you will follow court orders?" Goldman responded.

"I said we will enforce the nation's laws," Mullin said.

Goldman later cited a Manhattan federal district judge's late May ruling preventing ICE from arresting people attending immigration court during routine, mandatory check-ins. He asked whether Mullin would stop courthouse arrests in all parts of the country given the ruling by U.S. Judge Kevin Castel, who was appointed by President George W. Bush, a Republican.

Goldman's time expired. Mullin didn't respond.

Noem's private jets are back in the spotlight. Mullin is keeping them

Noem had a host of controversies before her ouster. DHS bought two new private Gulfstream jets, reportedly valued up to $200 million, through the Coast Guard that Noem then used for travel. Mullin acknowledged he continued to use the Gulfstreams, saying he’s statutorily required to fly on government planes.

Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Virginia, asked whether Mullin would commit to selling the new Gulfstreams and opt for cheaper planes.

"Why do I need to sell them, sir?" Mullin said.

Later, Mullin said he can’t fly commercial because he’s required as part of presidential continuity to be in communication at all times, like other Cabinet-level officials.

Allegations of White supremacy in DHS

Trump's DHS has faced scrutiny over its messaging, which Democrats said had overtures of White supremacy.

A March bulletin by the Colorado Information Analysis Center, an antiterrorism unit in the state's Department of Public Safety, alleged that violent extremists “may perceive White supremacy ideology in ICE recruitment materials,” though the efforts cited by the organization were distributed before Mullin's tenure.

In February, the New York Times reported DHS hired a social media manager accused of White-nationalist messaging.

Mullin denied the accusations, saying said his agency was not racist.

The incident boiled over when Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, said he would “share some of the characteristics of a racist” and started criticizing comments from Trump administration officials.  

Green, 78, is Black. Mullin, a registered Cherokee Nation member, asked if Green was calling him a racist. Green asked to shut Mullin up.

“No one will call me a racist,” Mullin said. “I’m Cherokee, too.”

Garbarino, the chairman, who is White, said House rules don’t allow disparaging members of Congress, witnesses like Mullin, or the president or vice president.

Contributing: Zac Anderson and Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY

Eduardo Cuevas is based in New York City. Reach him by email at [email protected] or on Signal at emcuevas.01.