President Donald Trump is reportedly growing increasingly frustrated with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, just months after tapping the former Oklahoma senator to lead one of the most important agencies in his administration.
A Wall Street Journal report cited people familiar with the situation who said Mullin has worn on Trump after a series of episodes in which administration officials believed the DHS secretary appeared “weak and off message.”
Mullin was confirmed as homeland security secretary in March after Trump selected him to replace Kristi Noem.
One of the first reported problems came in June after the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to end temporary protections for Haitian immigrants living in the United States.
During a CNN appearance with Jake Tapper, Mullin suggested some migrants could potentially pursue a path to return legally.
“Either try to fill out the paperwork and be here underneath a permanent status, or we’ll help you get back to your country,” Mullin said.
Administration officials reportedly viewed the comments as being out of step with Trump’s position.
Another disagreement emerged during the Fourth of July celebrations in Washington.
Mullin pushed to cancel the fireworks display on the National Mall because of lightning in the area, according to the report.
Trump ultimately moved forward with the celebration and appeared to poke fun at the recommendation during his remarks that evening.
“One of my very brilliant people backstage said, ‘Don’t worry about it, sir. We can do it maybe next week,’” Trump recalled.
“I said, ‘It doesn’t work next week.’ This is the big day. We want July Fourth. We’re not looking for July something else,” the president added.
Tensions reportedly increased again in July following two fatal ICE-involved shootings in Texas and Maine.
Mullin temporarily halted federal immigration officials from stopping vehicles for check-ins.
An administration official told the Wall Street Journal that Trump had not been informed about the decision beforehand.
Trump reversed the policy the following day through a post on Truth Social.
Mullin then generated another round of criticism with comments at a National Governors Association meeting in Oklahoma.
Discussing claims that immigrants take jobs from American workers, Mullin acknowledged that the argument was “true in some industries” but said “it’s not true for all industries.”
He also suggested immigration could potentially help industries struggling with low labor-force participation rates.
The remarks sparked immediate criticism from Trump-aligned figures.
Laura Loomer called on Trump to fire Mullin, while Steve Bannon, Tomi Lahren and former Customs and Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino were among the prominent voices criticizing the DHS secretary’s more moderate immigration rhetoric.
Mullin subsequently appeared to respond to the backlash.
“NO amnesty for illegal aliens. Ever,” he wrote on social media several hours after his Oklahoma remarks. Another point of contention has involved Mullin’s preferred candidate to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Mullin backed Lance Schroyer for the position, but the nomination has reportedly faced resistance from immigration officials and Trump allies over concerns about Schroyer’s lack of federal government and immigration experience, according to the Daily Mail.
Border czar Tom Homan has also reportedly objected to the selection.
Sources said Mullin pushed Schroyer directly to Trump without first consulting Homan or White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, two of the administration’s most influential figures on immigration policy. Mullin has also attracted attention for his relationship with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat.
The DHS secretary previously described having a “real good relationship” with Shapiro.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) praised Mullin’s recent rhetoric as a departure from what he had previously heard from senior members of the Trump administration.
Despite the growing list of reported disagreements, Mullin’s job does not currently appear to be in immediate danger.
A senior administration official confirmed to the Wall Street Journal that Trump has become increasingly frustrated with his homeland security secretary but said the president has no plans to fire him.
“President Trump has confidence in his Cabinet to carry out the agenda the American people voted for,” White House spokesperson Lauren Bis said.
Mullin has historically been a vocal Trump ally.
Before joining the administration, he represented Oklahoma in the Senate beginning in 2023 after serving a decade in the House of Representatives.
Trump praised Mullin when announcing him as Noem’s replacement, predicting that he would “make a spectacular Secretary of Homeland Security.”
Just months into Mullin’s tenure, however, the relationship is reportedly facing its first significant strain.
