MAGA Base Turns Against Trump’s DHS Secretary

Clear Facts

• Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin recommended revising work visa programs to address labor shortages, drawing fierce criticism from conservative commentators
• President Trump has privately expressed frustration with Mullin over immigration policy and other decisions, with sources saying replacement has been considered
• The Trump administration has deported over 605,000 illegal aliens with 1.9 million self-deporting, but MAGA hardliners say the numbers fall short of campaign promises

WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump’s Department of Homeland Security Secretary is facing mounting pressure from the conservative base over immigration enforcement just five months into his tenure.

Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, confirmed by the Senate in March to lead DHS, replaced scandal-plagued Kristi Noem after she hindered the administration’s deportation agenda with flashy media appearances and personal blunders. The president announced Mullin’s nomination on Truth Social, positioning the Oklahoma senator as a hardcore MAGA enforcer who would deliver results.

But recent statements have put Mullin in the crosshairs of conservative activists and commentators who believe he’s abandoning the very mission Trump appointed him to accomplish.

Speaking at a National Governors Association meeting in Oklahoma City over the weekend, Mullin recommended revising employment-based work visa programs to address labor shortages.

“If we’re looking to grow our economy, then we need more permanent solutions on this,” Mullin said.

“This narrative that it steals American jobs is true in some industries, it’s not true for all industries. It is America. We want to take care of Americans first. It’s our economy, it’s our homeland, but there’s a way to utilize labor where we’re not having the participation rate we need to, and we can plug those holes.”

Mullin quickly attempted damage control, posting on X: “NO amnesty for illegal aliens. Ever.”

The clarification did little to quell the backlash. Conservative commentator Laura Loomer didn’t hold back.

“Markwayne Muslim [sic] got rich in industries that depend on cheap illegal alien labor. Now, as DHS Secretary, he’s refusing to deport illegals at the scale President Trump promised because those same businesses still ‘need’ illegal alien workers.”

Fox News commentator Tomi Lahren pointed to a pattern of concerning behavior.

“This is not what we voted for. Once again, Markwayne wants to appease liberal media and big labor.”

Lahren’s “once again” reflects growing frustration among MAGA hardliners who see Mullin as unwilling to aggressively execute Trump’s promised deportation agenda. The president himself has expressed private frustration with his DHS secretary, according to two sources familiar with the situation.

Trump’s concerns extend beyond immigration policy to Mullin’s attempt to cancel the “Salute To America” fireworks display on July 4 due to severe weather—a decision that didn’t sit well with the president. White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis told The Daily Wire that Trump “has confidence in his Cabinet to carry out the agenda the American people voted for.”

However, one source with knowledge of the president’s frustrations shared that Trump has already considered replacing Mullin. Former chief strategist Steve Bannon is actively pushing for Mullin’s ouster, advocating for Bill Pulte—a Trump enforcer whose brief stint leading the Office of the Director of National Intelligence was marked by aggressive staffing purges.

Bannon describes Pulte as a “folk hero” with the MAGA base, though Pulte said Tuesday he isn’t interested in the job. That hasn’t deterred Bannon from pushing the White House to remove Mullin before the Republican Party’s September midterm convention in Texas.

“Hardcore MAGA base has two core central issues. The stolen 2020 election and the invasion of the southern border predicated upon the stolen election and the illegitimate Biden regime,” Bannon told The Daily Wire Tuesday.

“We’re 90 days out from a midterm that could end the presidency with impeachment and try to end Trumpism, it has to be all hands on deck seven days a week. To know that he went after some governors’ conference in Oklahoma and had time to be up there with [Oklahoma Governor Kevin] Stitt, who’s another squish, right … I understand he’s your buddy from Oklahoma, but if you’re that f*cking dumb, right? You should be fired.”

Loomer echoed Bannon’s assessment.

“He’s ignoring why President Trump made him DHS Secretary to begin with and what wins midterms: MASS DEPORTATIONS!”

The Trump administration has deported more than 605,000 illegal aliens this term, according to the White House, with an additional 1.9 million self-deporting. That brings the total number of illegals leaving the United States since the president returned to the White House to over 2.5 million.

For many in the MAGA base, those numbers fall short of expectations. Conservative commentator Jack Posobiec captured the grassroots sentiment.

“Every young voter I talk to is asking where the mass deportations are. This is easily a number one issue with many, many among the grassroots who are feeling like the domestic policies have taken a backseat.”

A DHS spokesman defended Mullin’s record, telling The Daily Wire that the secretary has been very clear in his message to illegals: they will be detained and deported if they come to the U.S. illegally. The Department of Homeland Security is “focused on delivering on the president’s mission to deport illegal aliens and protect the homeland,” the spokesman added.

“Anyone who says otherwise is just trying to sow division and create an illusion of chaos.”

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