Mullin confronts DeLauro at hearing: ‘You should be put in your place’

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Thursday scolded Rep. Rosa DeLauro after the Connecticut Democrat raised concerns about the Trump administration’s immigration policy.

During her line of questioning at a House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security hearing, DeLauro told Mullin that “3,900 children were separated from their families.”

Mullin interrupted, stating, “450,000 kids were lost during the Biden administration and you didn’t say a word about it.”

“Mr. Secretary, do not interrupt,” DeLauro replied, while gesturing toward the secretary.

“Don’t you point your finger at me,” he responded.

“I will point my finger at you,” DeLauro added.

Mullin then accused the Connecticut lawmaker of being a “hypocrite.”

“You should be as upset about the 450,000 kids that were lost. You didn’t say a word about it. For four years you never said a word,” Mullin exclaimed.

“Could you put him in his place first?” DeLauro asked Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.), the chair of the subcommittee.

“You should be put in your place,” Mullin replied.

The heated exchange comes as the Trump administration has faced scrutiny over its immigration policy, particularly as it pertains to the separation of children from parents detained by federal immigration authorities.

Earlier this month, the Brookings Institution found that more than 145,000 children have had at least one parent detained because of their immigration status during President Trump’s second term. More than 22,000 children have experienced the detention of both parents, per the Brookings report.

“ICE does not separate families. Parents are asked if they want to be removed with their children or ICE will place the children with a safe person the parent designates,” Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is housed under the Homeland Security Department, told The Hill in a previous statement.

Mullin and his predecessor, Kristi Noem, have repeatedly claimed that 450,000 unaccompanied minors went missing during former President Biden’s tenure. Earlier this month, the department claimed it had found 146,000 of those minors

“President Trump has made it a point to go find these kids,” the Homeland Security chief said earlier this month, adding he would “move heaven and hell to go find these kids.”

Mullin confronts DeLauro at hearing: ‘You should be put in your place’

Related stories

Colombian president-elect gives armed groups one month to surrender

Ukrainian air defence units repel Russian missile attack on Kyiv, officials say

Barring 'ISIS bride' could have triggered High Court challenge

LP backs state police bill, urges govs to support reform