Trump DHS Chief Faces Fresh MAGA Fury After Bombshell Leak

Key Points:

• Markwayne Mullin, appointed by President Trump to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is facing criticism from MAGA hardliners for a perceived soft stance on immigration enforcement since replacing Kristi Noem in March.
• Recent data obtained by Politico indicates that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportations have plateaued this year, failing to accelerate despite Mullin’s promises, with deportation numbers roughly matching those during Noem’s tenure.
• Mullin’s policy decisions, including a temporary halt on vehicle stops following controversial ICE shootings, have sparked backlash from Trump and MAGA figures such as Steve Bannon, who has publicly called for Mullin’s replacement.
• ICE arrest figures have declined from a previous peak under Noem, with agents averaging about 1,500 daily arrests compared to nearly 1,900 previously, falling short of the 3,000-a-day goal set by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.
• DHS defends its enforcement record by highlighting over 985,000 deportations and one million arrests as of July 12, but has not disputed the specific statistics suggesting a stagnation in deportation rates presented by Politico.