Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin didn’t hold back when asked to respond to recent criticism of federal immigration agencies. Appearing on Fox News Thursday morning, Mullin reacted strongly to comments made by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, escalating what was already a tense back-and-forth over immigration policy.
The exchange stems from remarks Schumer delivered on the Senate floor the night before. In that speech, the New York Democrat argued against increasing funding for agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection. He went further, describing them as organizations that “nobody respects in this country,” a line that quickly drew backlash from Republicans.
Senator Schumer says “nobody respects” ICE and CBP agents.
These brave men and women risk their lives every day to keep Americans safe.
Democrats’ hatred towards law enforcement is disgusting. pic.twitter.com/uePZrsB3u8
— Senate Republicans (@SenateGOP) April 23, 2026
When Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin played the clip during Mullin’s interview, the secretary made it clear he took issue with both the tone and substance of Schumer’s comments. Mullin said the remarks angered him, then pivoted to a direct attack on Schumer himself, calling him a “scumbag” and accusing him of being dishonest with the public.
Beyond the personal criticism, Mullin argued that Schumer was sidestepping what he sees as the real debate. In his view, the disagreement isn’t about the performance of immigration agencies, but about whether immigration laws should be enforced as written. Mullin suggested that Democrats, including Schumer, oppose those laws in practice but avoid saying so directly.
Schumer on the vote-a-rama: “We are going to have lots of amendments”
Says Dems will be offering cost of living amendments “and they are funding a rogue police force that is not even popular with the American people.”
— Burgess Everett (@burgessev) April 22, 2026
He framed the issue in broader terms, accusing Schumer of supporting what he described as “open borders,” and tying that position to concerns about crime and public safety. Mullin also pointed out that Democrats had opportunities to make changes to immigration policy during the Biden administration but did not pursue them in the way he believes they should have.
Another part of Mullin’s response focused on what he sees as a disconnect between political rhetoric and personal reality. He criticized Schumer for condemning law enforcement agencies while benefiting from a security detail, arguing that it’s easy to dismiss those agencies while being personally protected.
DHS Sec. Markwayne Mullin TEARS into Chuck Schumer after the Senate minority leader said NO ONE respects ICE and Border Patrol:
CHUCK SCHUMER: “Two groups… Border Patrol and ICE… that nobody respects in this country.”
MARKWAYNE MULLIN: “Chuck Schumer, no one respects you.… pic.twitter.com/TyuXjqOrdx
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 23, 2026
Schumer, for his part, has continued to press his case. According to reporting from Politico, he also described immigration enforcement agencies as operating like a “rogue police force,” reinforcing his broader concerns about how those agencies function and are funded.
The clash reflects a deeper divide over immigration policy that has been building for years. Republicans tend to emphasize enforcement and border security, while Democrats often focus more on oversight, accountability, and broader immigration reform. As this latest exchange shows, that policy disagreement is increasingly being expressed in sharp—and highly personal—terms.
