Bannon Fails to Build Senate Support to Oust DHS Chief Mullin for Bill Pulte
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Aug 4
Bannon Fails to Build Senate Support to Oust DHS Chief Mullin for Bill Pulte
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Aug 4
Summary
No Republican senator contacted backed firing Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, and the White House said President Donald Trump still has confidence in him.
Bill Pulte’s path is weak because he would face a difficult Senate confirmation and cannot serve as acting DHS secretary unless first placed in a statutory succession role.
The push against Mullin reflects deeper MAGA frustration that his effort to soften DHS’s image and float temporary work visas has angered immigration hardliners.
ICE arrests and removals still trail the administration’s ambitious targets, while critics also say Mullin has not pushed workplace enforcement hard enough.
For now, Trump’s personal support and solid backing on Capitol Hill leave Mullin better positioned than his predecessor Kristi Noem was, despite the right-wing pressure campaign.