Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin escalated his war of words with his former Senate colleagues on Tuesday, accusing Democratic leaders of undermining law enforcement after two separate run-ins between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and Democratic senators.
The exchange began when Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) posted on X, warning that “when even U.S. Senators are targeted, every American should understand: no one is safe from [ICE’s] abuses.” Schumer added that he is “fighting tooth-and-nail against additional funds for Trump’s rogue police forces.” His post included photos of two incidents involving Sens. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.).
Mullin responded hours later, writing that he has “zero respect for career liberal politicians like Chuck Schumer (who has never held a job outside of politics) who openly demonize law enforcement.” He contrasted the Democratic stance with his department’s mission: “While radical Democrats aim to defund the police, @DHSgov is 100% focused on enforcing the law, securing the border, and deporting violent illegals aliens.”
The first incident occurred Monday when Kim, at a protest outside an immigration detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, said he experienced a “irritation and burning sensation in my eyes” after ICE agents deployed pepper balls. Kim told CNN’s Jake Tapper that he tried to position himself between ICE agents and the crowd, but “the ICE convoy decided to just go ahead and plow through the crowd, which was just absolutely so dangerous.” Videos showed volunteers pouring water into Kim’s eyes as he held an ice pack outside the facility, Delaney Hall.
The second incident dates back to last June, when Padilla was forcibly removed and handcuffed after interrupting a press conference by then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles, amid tensions over immigration enforcement.
This clash is the latest chapter in Mullin’s aggressive posture toward Democrats, even as he has taken a quieter approach within the department that has won favor among Republicans. A recent analysis noted that Mullin's quiet DHS approach wins GOP favor, but Democrats left out of key decisions, fueling partisan friction.
The dispute also underscores the broader rift between the Trump administration and Democratic lawmakers over immigration enforcement. Schumer’s call to defund ICE aligns with a long-standing progressive push, but Mullin’s response reflects the administration’s hardline stance. Meanwhile, the president’s relationship with Senate Republicans has been strained on other fronts, as Trump's estrangement from GOP senators threatens his legislative agenda, complicating efforts to pass key bills.
Kim defended his actions, saying he was trying to prevent a dangerous escalation. “I remember, you know, the pepper balls starting to get shot towards my feet and past me,” he recounted. The incident has drawn condemnation from Democrats, who argue it exemplifies overreach by federal law enforcement.
Mullin, a former senator himself, has not shied away from criticizing his old colleagues. His comments Tuesday suggest the department will continue to push back against Democratic scrutiny, even as some Republicans worry about the political fallout. For now, the battle lines are clear: Mullin and the administration see ICE as an essential tool for border security, while Democrats view it as a rogue force in need of restraint.
