Trump DHS chief under fire from conservatives after immigration speech ignites backlash

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is facing a conservative backlash after reaffirming his opposition to amnesty in a social media post, with critics arguing the hardline message contradicted comments he made hours earlier during an immigration speech in Oklahoma.

Hours after speaking at the National Governors Association Summer Meeting in Oklahoma City, Mullin wrote on X: "NO amnesty for illegal aliens. Ever."

"We are a nation of laws," he wrote. "If you are illegally present in the United States of America—you will be detained and deported. Period."

Former Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino also criticized Mullin's remarks, writing on X that "Voters asked for mass deportations. Clear demand. High priority. No ambiguity." He added, "The guy running DHS is making the case for 'immigration reform.' We've seen this script before."

In a separate post, Bovino wrote that Mullin had delivered "a masterclass in how to give terrible answers during a single interview" and argued, "Now you know why we're not getting mass deportations."

Conservative commentator Robby Starbuck also weighed in, calling Mullin's remarks "a total betrayal."

During the event, Mullin argued the U.S. needs immigration reform, distinguished between immigrants pursuing legal status and those who are not, and called for changes to some employment visa programs to address labor shortages. "We haven't had actual immigration reform since 1959. There's a reason. It's political," Mullin said. "Do you really need immigration reform? Yes, you do."

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told Fox News Digital that Secretary Mullin "has been clear" that anyone in the U.S. illegally "will be detained and deported," rejecting criticism that the administration has sent mixed messages on immigration.

The spokesperson said more than 3 million people have left the country because of the administration's immigration crackdown, including an estimated 2.2 million self-deportations, and said DHS had deported more than 985,000 illegal immigrants and arrested more than 1 million as of July 12.