DHS funding – A June 3 House Homeland Security Committee hearing on the Department of Homeland Security’s budget turned into a combative fight over court limits on immigration enforcement, DHS’s use of private jets after former Secretary Kristi Noem, and allegations that pa
When Markwayne Mullin walked into the House Homeland Security Committee room on June 3. the session was supposed to be about DHS funding. It quickly became something else—an argument over whether immigration enforcement can be constrained by court orders. who controls the narrative inside the department. and how much politics should be allowed into the hearing.
Mullin. the DHS secretary who took over from former Secretary Kristi Noem in March. faced lawmakers for more than three hours as Democrats challenged his early actions and Republicans pressed him on enforcement. The exchange landed with extra heat because the hearing came after a record DHS shutdown that ended in late April—after about 75 days—and after Mullin appeared the day before before a Senate committee for congressional funding requests for his agency.
Rep. Bennie Thompson. the top Democrat on the committee. opened by accusing Trump-era Homeland Security secretaries of clearing a “very low bar. ” and told Mullin he wished he was more encouraged by Mullin’s early actions. Mullin used his opening remarks to respond sharply. saying he would not go through “ridiculous accusations” but arguing that Thompson had been reckless in raising racism allegations and in the broader push that led to a DHS shutdown.
Committee chairman Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-New York, stopped the hearing at several points after personal attacks between Democrats and Mullin escalated.
At the heart of the clash were three issues Mullin could not simply move past: court rulings limiting certain enforcement actions, DHS’s continued use of expensive private jets, and claims—spanning multiple agencies and years—that DHS messaging touched on White supremacy.
Mullin said DHS follows the law, but he also argued that court orders can hinge on how higher courts rule
The most direct conflict came when Democrats asked whether Mullin’s department would follow federal court orders that restrict immigration enforcement.
Mullin told Rep. Dan Goldman, D-New York, that ICE’s actions depend on whether a higher court overturns a decision, saying that there are “lower benches and even upper benches” making decisions based on “political reasons.” Goldman pressed him on whether Mullin would follow court orders.
Mullin responded that his department would “enforce the nation’s laws,” and when Goldman later pointed to a late May Manhattan federal district judge’s ruling, Mullin did not give the specific answer Goldman wanted.
Goldman cited the ruling that prevented ICE from arresting people attending immigration court during routine, mandatory check-ins. Goldman asked whether Mullin would stop courthouse arrests in all parts of the country based on the decision by U.S. Judge Kevin Castel, who was appointed by President George W. Bush. Goldman’s time expired before Mullin responded.
Noem’s private jets remain a target as Mullin says he is required to fly government aircraft
The hearing’s second flashpoint focused on private jets.
Democrats highlighted that DHS bought two new private Gulfstream jets—reportedly valued up to $200 million—through the Coast Guard, which Noem then used for travel. Mullin acknowledged he continued to use the Gulfstreams, saying he is statutorily required to fly on government planes.
Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Virginia, asked whether Mullin would commit to selling the Gulfstreams and switching to cheaper planes.
Mullin rejected the premise, asking, “Why do I need to sell them, sir?” Later, Mullin added that he cannot fly commercial because presidential continuity rules require him to be in communication at all times—like other Cabinet-level officials.
A separate thread of the hearing turned to accusations about messaging tied to White supremacy
The third tense moment centered on allegations that Trump’s DHS has faced scrutiny over its messaging, with Democrats saying it included overtures connected to White supremacy.
The record of those accusations stretches beyond Mullin’s tenure. A March bulletin by the Colorado Information Analysis Center—a unit in the state Department of Public Safety—alleged that violent extremists “may perceive White supremacy ideology in ICE recruitment materials.” The bulletin cited materials distributed before Mullin’s time as DHS secretary.
In February, the New York Times reported that DHS hired a social media manager accused of White-nationalist messaging.
Mullin denied the accusations, saying his agency was not racist.
The argument turned personal when Rep. Al Green. D-Texas. said he would “share some of the characteristics of a racist” and began criticizing comments from Trump administration officials. Green is 78 and Black. Mullin. who is a registered Cherokee Nation member. challenged Green directly. asking if Green was calling him a racist and reminding the committee. “No one will call me a racist. I’m Cherokee, too.”.
Garbarino then intervened through the lens of House rules. Because the chairman is White, he said House rules don’t allow disparaging members of Congress, witnesses like Mullin, or the president or vice president.
The hearing’s fight wasn’t only about policy—it was also about credibility, and whether the department’s legal and communications posture could survive public scrutiny
Taken together, the exchanges showed how quickly questions about governance can become a struggle over legitimacy. Democrats pushed for clear commitments on court-ordered limits to enforcement. challenged the continued use of Gulfstream jets tied to the Noem era. and pointed to allegations involving recruitment and social media. Mullin responded by insisting DHS follows the law. rejecting the notion that he should sell the jets. and denying racism allegations—while clashing directly with lawmakers when the conversation moved from institutions to identities.
By the end of the hearing, the tension was still in the room. The date on the calendar—June 3—mattered less than what lawmakers were trying to force into focus: whether DHS is prepared to operate under court constraints. defend its spending and travel choices. and withstand accusations about how its messaging lands with the public.
DHS Markwayne Mullin House Homeland Security Committee ICE court orders private jets Gulfstream Kristi Noem private jet controversy White supremacy allegations Dan Goldman Al Green Bennie Thompson Andrew Garbarino
So they’re mad about immigration court orders??
Private jets again… like did they forget we have taxes. This is why hearings turn into yelling, nobody actually reads the budget part.
I thought Mullin was the guy who shut down DHS, but the article says court limits?? Kinda sounds like Democrats want him to ignore judges which is wild. Also the jets thing, wasn’t that Noem’s fault though?
Every time it’s ‘tense’ it really means both sides just pick one headline and run with it. Why are they bringing up shutdowns and private planes during a funding hearing?? And how come they never talk about actual services for border agents, just lawsuits and blame.