Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said he and President Donald Trump are aligned on immigration enforcement after reports that an earlier directive temporarily pausing certain Immigration and Customs Enforcement traffic stops had drawn criticism from some conservatives, as reported [1] by The Gateway Pundit.
The issue followed two recent ICE-involved shootings in Maine and Texas. According to multiple reports cited in the original article, the temporary directive originated within the Department of Homeland Security and was issued before President Trump had been briefed.
CNN reported, “Neither Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin nor Homan alerted Trump to the pause on traffic stops before imposing it, according to two people familiar with the chain of events.”
After learning of the directive, President Trump publicly stated that ICE should continue using traffic stops as part of its enforcement efforts.
In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote:
“The men and women of ICE are doing a GREAT job, one that has to be done. CRIME IS WAY DOWN IN AMERICA, in many cases with numbers that haven’t been seen in decades. The Open Border Policy of Sleepy Joe Biden allowed 25,000,000 people to pour into our Country, unchecked and unvetted. Many were Criminals, and we have to get them out. In order to do this, we must be strong, tough, and smart, and we CANNOT give up one of I.C.E.’s most important and effective crime-fighting tools, THE TRAFFIC STOP! Once we do, we are playing right into the criminal’s hands. The Radical Left Dumocrats would like to see this done, but it won’t happen on my watch. I.C.E., be judicious, fair, and smart, and go back and do your very important job. Keep those Crime Stat Records coming! Remember, you are loved and respected in America.”
The men and women of ICE are doing a GREAT job, one that has to be done. CRIME IS WAY DOWN IN AMERICA, in many cases with numbers that haven’t been seen in decades. The Open Border Policy of Sleepy Joe Biden allowed 25,000,000 people to pour into our Country, unchecked and… pic.twitter.com/im7J8Q60wd [2]
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) July 15, 2026 [3]
The White House later confirmed that the temporary suspension had been reversed and that ICE traffic stops had been reinstated.
Following the President’s statement, Mullin shared Trump’s Truth Social message on X before posting his own statement emphasizing continued immigration enforcement.
“Our #1 goal is to keep our officers safe and get criminals OFF our streets. Illegal aliens will be arrested and deported wherever they are. If you are here illegally, LEAVE NOW. As our officers carry out operations to enforce our nation’s laws, they are facing a more than 1,300% increase in vehicle attacks.
We remind illegal aliens attempting to evade arrest is dangerous. This reckless illegal alien activity comes after sanctuary politicians held webinars and shared resources for how to openly defy @ICEgov:
▪️Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez hosted a webinar providing tips for illegal aliens to evade arrests at homes, workplaces, or in public.
▪️Dan Goldman posted a video online calling on illegal aliens to make a plan for ICE encounters.
▪️Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued multilingual flyers and online resources advising illegal aliens on how to evade arrest.
▪️California Governor Gavin Newsom released guides and sanctuary laws advising illegal aliens how to recognize ICE, block entry, and defy arrest.”
Our #1 goal is to keep our officers safe and get criminals OFF our streets. Illegal aliens will be arrested and deported wherever they are. If you are here illegally, LEAVE NOW. As our officers carry out operations to enforce our nations laws, they are facing a more than 1,300%… pic.twitter.com/dnI1YJAN3N [4]
— Secretary Markwayne Mullin (@SecMullinDHS) July 15, 2026 [5]
Mullin later posted a second message addressing reports suggesting disagreement between himself and the President.
“President Trump and I are on the same page. We want our ICE officers to have all options available to keep them safe while executing our mission of deporting as many illegal alien criminals from our country as possible.”
President Trump and I are on the same page. We want our @ICEgov [6] officers to have all options available to keep them safe while executing our mission of deporting as many illegal alien criminals from our country as possible.
— Secretary Markwayne Mullin (@SecMullinDHS) July 15, 2026 [7]
The controversy prompted reactions from several conservative commentators on social media.
Tomi Lahren posted, “Clean up on aisle RINO.”
Vince Langman wrote, “You need to resign in disgrace after bending the knee to the radical left.”
Kim “Katie” USA added, “Step down. You aren’t cut out for this position.”
The White House has confirmed that ICE traffic stops remain authorized following President Trump’s decision to overturn the earlier pause.