Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin sharply criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer during a Fox News interview on Thursday, responding to remarks Schumer made about federal immigration enforcement agencies, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

The exchange followed comments Schumer delivered Wednesday night on the Senate floor, where he opposed increased funding for Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. During those remarks, Schumer described the agencies as ones “that nobody respects in this country.”

Fox News reporter Bill Melugin played the clip during the interview and asked Mullin to respond.

“Well, it makes my ears red,” Mullin said. “It takes a lot to get me upset.”

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Mullin then escalated his response, directing criticism at Schumer personally.

“But Chuck Schumer, no one respects you,” he added.

“The definition of a lying scumbag politician — that is you. You would be the definition, if you Googled you right now.”

Mullin argued that Schumer’s comments were an attempt to avoid addressing broader disagreements over immigration policy.

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“I mean, why don’t you just come out and be honest with the American people?” Mullin said.

He also accused Schumer of supporting policies that would reduce enforcement at the southern border.

“He wants to have open borders,” Mullin said.

Mullin continued, pointing to past opportunities for Democrats to alter enforcement policy during the prior administration.

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“If you want to defund the Customs and Border Protection Agency, if you want to defund ICE,” Mullin said. “You had time to change those during the Biden administration.”

“You didn’t, because you’re for open borders, and you’re for the criminals running amok in our cities,” he added.

The Homeland Security secretary also raised concerns about what he described as a disconnect between political leadership and public safety, noting that elected officials often have personal security while commenting on law enforcement agencies.

“And for you to say that is so disrespectful to the law enforcement that is out there protecting you,” Mullin said. “Because he has a detail with him. How about he walks around these city streets without a detail? I wonder how safe he would feel.”

According to Politico reporter Burgess Everett, Schumer also referred to immigration enforcement agencies as “a rogue police force” during remarks on Thursday.

The exchange highlights ongoing tensions over immigration policy and funding as debates continue in Washington. Immigration enforcement agencies, including Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, remain central to those discussions.

Mullin and Schumer have previously served together in the Senate, with Mullin holding that position for three years before taking his current role leading the Department of Homeland Security last month.

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