Democrats hammered U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin during a heated Senate hearing this week, calling his threats to pull officers from some airports in so-called sanctuary cities “insane” and accusing his department of recklessly spending billions of dollars.
In his confirmation hearing earlier this year, Mullin portrayed himself as a steadying hand for the Department of Homeland Security after multiple controversies roiled his predecessor’s tenure. But on Tuesday, Democrats expressed deep skepticism of his ability to change the department, specifically its approach to immigration enforcement and its commitment to the rule of law.
“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.”
Murray cited Mullin’s threats to pull U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from airports in states that the Trump administration deems “sanctuary cities,” meaning they don’t cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“Your plan to withdraw CBP officers from airports in cities that don’t roll over for Trump, that is insane,” Murray said. “It would also spell economic crisis for blue and red states.”
Mullin has set the travel industry on edge with threats to withdraw CBP officers from airports in so-called “sanctuary cities.”
Critics warn that such a move could upend international travel at a time when millions of visitors are gearing up to come to the U.S. for the World Cup.
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