Community Leaders Voice Opposition to Markwayne Mullin’s DHS Nomination Ahead of Confirmation Hearing

LAS VEGAS, NV - Today, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary nominee Senator Markwayne Mullin will appear before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for his confirmation hearing, chaired by Sen. Rand Paul. Mullin has no prior experience in law enforcement or immigration enforcement. President Trump nominated him following the dismissal of former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

In response to Mullin’s nomination and confirmation hearing, local advocates and community leaders shared the following statements expressing their concerns and opposition to his appointment as DHS Secretary.

Paula Luna, Interim Executive Director of Battle Born Progress, issued the following statement:

“The Department of Homeland Security needs leadership committed to reforming the harmful policies that have led to the deaths of multiple U.S. citizens. Representative Mullin has supported the agency’s current approach and has no experience leading an agency of DHS’s size or scope. Removing Secretary Noem was the right decision, but meaningful change must follow. DHS needs leadership that, at a minimum, will ensure agents respect the rights of citizens and immigrants as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and that they are held accountable for excessive force or violations of constitutional rights. So far, Representative Mullin has not demonstrated a commitment to that kind of accountability or reform. We urge Senators Rosen and Cortez Masto to vote against his nomination.”

Barbara Hartzell, Native Voters Alliance NV, issued the following statement:

“Removing one failed DHS Secretary only to replace them with someone carrying their own record of ethical and moral red flags is not the accountability this country was promised. Yet that is exactly what this nomination represents. Markwayne Mullin was investigated by the House Ethics Committee for continuing to receive income from his family plumbing company while serving in Congress, and he has publicly defended the deportation of children born in the United States. Those are not minor controversies. They speak directly to judgment, integrity, and respect for basic human rights. Handing the leadership of the Department of Homeland Security to someone with that record does not restore trust in the agency. It deepens the crisis of confidence surrounding it.”

Leo Murrieta, Executive Director of Make the Road Action Nevada, issued the following statement:

“At a moment when undocumented families are facing escalating attacks, our country cannot afford leadership that will double down on harmful policies. Instead of addressing the real harm happening in our immigration system, this administration has already proposed spending $220 million on ad campaigns aimed at “reducing illegal immigration”. That kind of approach fuels fear and division rather than solving the real challenges our communities face. Markwayne Mullin has not shown that he is prepared to bring the accountability our communities deserve. We urge Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen to stand with Nevada families and vote against this nomination.”

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About Battle Born Progress: Battle Born Progress, through strategic communication efforts, empowers, engages and mobilizes Nevada voters to build a state where everyone has a fair opportunity to succeed. We support, engage, and mobilize the progressive community through bold leadership, strategic communications, accountability, and education. We are on the cutting edge of new media and are the go-to source for progressive issues and advocacy for traditional media.