Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) holds a press conference on DHS funding and proposed future plans on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 22, 2026. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Minority Leader Schumer holds press conference
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin pushed back forcefully on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer after Schumer claimed that “no one respects ICE or CBP,” calling the remarks inaccurate and disrespectful to federal law enforcement officers.
Mullin criticized Schumer’s comments as undermining the work of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), both of which play key roles in border security and immigration enforcement. He argued that frontline agents put themselves at risk daily and deserve support rather than political criticism.
The exchange adds to ongoing tensions between Republican and Democratic leaders over immigration policy and the role of federal enforcement agencies at the southern border. Mullin’s remarks quickly gained attention from supporters who echoed his defense of ICE and CBP, while Democrats maintained broader criticism of current enforcement strategies.
The dispute highlights how immigration remains one of the most divisive issues in Washington, with rhetoric on both sides intensifying as policy debates continue.
