Sen. Markwayne Mullin on DHS funding fight: Not sure what the Democrats' endgame is

Government Shutdown Looming & El Paso Airport Closure: A Discussion with Senator Markwayne Mullin

Key Concepts:

• DHS Funding: Department of Homeland Security funding is the primary sticking point in preventing a government shutdown.
• Continuing Resolution: A temporary measure to continue funding the government when a full budget agreement isn't reached.
• Sanctuary Cities/States: Jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
• Doxing: The act of publicly revealing someone's personal information (address, workplace, etc.) online, often with malicious intent.
• Judicial Warrants for Arrests: The Democratic proposal requiring judicial warrants for most arrests by ICE agents.
• Real ID: A secure form of identification required for certain federal purposes, like boarding airplanes.

1. Looming Government Shutdown & DHS Funding Dispute

The United States is facing a potential government shutdown by Friday due to a lack of agreement on funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Senator Mullin clarified that this isn’t a full government shutdown, as 97% of the government is already funded through 11 appropriation bills. The dispute centers around the remaining 3% allocated to DHS. Specifically, the Senator argues Democrats are attempting to hinder the operations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Border Patrol, despite these agencies having been fully funded for four years under a previous bipartisan agreement.

The shutdown’s impact would be felt most acutely by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Coast Guard, FEMA, and the Secret Service. Senator Mullin highlighted the historical pattern of shutdowns ending when airport delays caused public outcry and pressure on Congress.

2. El Paso Airport Closure & Security Concerns

The discussion began with the unusual closure of the El Paso Airport for ten days due to a “special security situation” initiated by the FAA. Senator Mullin admitted he had not been briefed on the situation, emphasizing the compartmentalization of information within the Senate. He expressed confidence in DHS’s ability to handle security matters. He noted that Senators representing Texas (Cornyn and Cruz) and the local House representatives would likely have more information. He framed the situation as one of many pressing issues, alongside international concerns like Iran and Venezuela, and the ongoing DHS funding debate.

3. Democratic Demands & the Issue of Judicial Warrants

Senator Mullin characterized the Democrats’ demands as “not reasonable,” claiming they aim to obstruct ICE and Border Patrol from enforcing existing laws. He addressed Senator Chris’s previous statement on Squawk Box regarding the Democrats’ desire for federal agents to adhere to the same rules as state and local law enforcement.

Mullin countered that federal agents operate differently and that the Democratic proposals, particularly the requirement for judicial warrants for most arrests, would effectively create a national sanctuary policy. He explained this would necessitate a warrant even for minor offenses like traffic stops, drastically hindering enforcement capabilities. He drew a parallel to requiring a warrant for a DUI arrest, arguing it would be an impractical standard.

4. Addressing Concerns About ICE Agent Safety & Doxing

The Senator addressed the issue of threats against ICE agents, specifically the practice of “doxing” – publicly revealing their personal information. He stated that laws against doxing already exist but are not being enforced by local law enforcement in some areas, like Minnesota. He emphasized that putting ICE agents in danger is unacceptable.

5. Potential Compromises & Continuing Resolution

Senator Mullin believes a continuing resolution (a temporary funding extension) is the most likely outcome, potentially occurring as early as tomorrow. He attributed this to the fact that 30 Democratic senators are scheduled to travel to Munich for a security conference (Codell), creating a motivation to avoid a shutdown. However, he expressed uncertainty about the Democrats’ ultimate goals, hindering meaningful negotiation. He indicated openness to discussing body cameras, enhanced training, and improved equipment for ICE agents, but firmly opposed any measures that would impede their ability to enforce the law.

6. Public Concerns Regarding Increased ID Checks & Law Enforcement

Kelly, another host, raised concerns about reports of increased ID checks, even for naturalized citizens, and a general sense of unease among the public. Senator Mullin acknowledged the reports but stated he hadn’t personally witnessed them in his state or in Washington D.C. He asserted that individuals with nothing to hide should not be concerned about showing identification, citing common examples like boarding planes, trains, or conducting financial transactions. He attributed these concerns to sanctuary cities and states that refuse to cooperate with federal law enforcement.

7. The President’s Focus on Law and Order

Senator Mullin stated that the President campaigned on restoring law and order and making communities safer. He reiterated that individuals legally present in the country have no reason to fear identification checks.

8. Data & Statistics Mentioned

• 97% of the government is currently fully funded.
• 3% of the government’s funding is currently in dispute (DHS).
• The El Paso Airport was closed for ten days due to a security situation.

Conclusion:

The interview highlighted a significant impasse in Congress regarding DHS funding, potentially leading to a partial government shutdown. Senator Mullin presented the Republican perspective, emphasizing the need to empower ICE and Border Patrol to enforce existing laws. He criticized the Democrats’ demands as unreasonable and potentially detrimental to national security. While a continuing resolution appears likely in the short term, the underlying disagreements remain unresolved, and the situation remains fluid. The discussion also touched upon public concerns regarding increased security measures and the safety of ICE agents, underscoring the complex political and practical challenges surrounding border security and immigration enforcement.