Politics
Democrats plan congressional scrutiny of DHS chief Mullin if they gain power
House Democrats say they would use committee oversight to examine immigration enforcement under Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, including agent body-camera use, detention conditions and cooperation with the department’s inspector general. The plans hinge on Democrats gaining more power in November’s elections.
WASHINGTON — House Democrats are preparing to put the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration operations under renewed scrutiny if they gain power in November, with Secretary Markwayne Mullin likely to face questions from congressional committees.
A House Democratic aide said committees intend to examine why many immigration agents have not been issued body cameras, conditions in immigration facilities and the department’s cooperation with its inspector general. “He owns that,” the aide said, referring to Mullin. The aide spoke anonymously because the party’s legislative plans are still being developed.
The effort would bring the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown back into congressional hearings and public debate. Democrats say their oversight would focus on DHS practices under Mullin, who took over the department after Kristi Noem. Mullin, a former member of Congress, was viewed as someone more likely than Noem to work effectively with lawmakers.
The plans depend on the outcome of the November midterms and whether Democrats secure greater influence in Congress. The aide did not provide details on the timing of possible hearings or identify specific facilities or agencies that committees would investigate.