OKLAHOMA CITY — U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin visited Oklahoma on Tuesday to emphasize the state’s critical role in national security and share priorities from his first 40 days in office.
Mullin, who assumed his role as DHS Secretary, also took time to address key challenges facing the department, such as staffing shortages and continued focus on immigration enforcement and cybersecurity.
Key Takeaways from Mullin’s Visit
- Oklahoma as a National Security Model: Mullin highlighted Oklahoma’s interagency coordination as a model for national security, praising the state’s effective collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies.
- Staffing Challenges at DHS: DHS faces staffing shortages, with over 1,100 cybersecurity employees lost during a recent government shutdown.
- Immigration Enforcement Strategy: Mullin reaffirmed that immigration enforcement remains a core mission for DHS, focusing on collaboration with local law enforcement agencies rather than taking the lead in every operation.
Oklahoma’s Role as a Model for National Security Coordination
During his visit, Mullin toured the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) Training Facility at the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety headquarters.
He took the opportunity to commend the work of local troopers and law enforcement officers while emphasizing Oklahoma’s collaborative approach to national security.
“We’re trying to be all one team, all sitting in the same boat, rowing in the same direction,” Mullin said, commending Oklahoma’s partnership between the governor’s office, local police, and sheriff’s departments. He expressed that this coordinated effort could serve as an example for other states to follow.
“If we can take what Oklahoma is doing… bring in other states and say, ‘listen, this is how Oklahoma’s done it,’” Mullin added.
Mullin’s First 40 Days as DHS Secretary
Mullin shared insights into his first 40 days as DHS Secretary, describing the department’s size and scope as exceeding his expectations.
“The footprint that the Department of Homeland Security has is astounding,” Mullin stated, noting that the view from the Secretary’s office is quite different from the perspective he had before assuming the role.
He also discussed the pace of his new position and his working relationship with President Donald Trump. Mullin emphasized the president’s hands-on involvement in daily operations. “We’re putting in 20-hour days every single day,” he said. “We want to make every day count.”
Immigration Enforcement and Local Partnerships
Mullin reaffirmed that immigration enforcement remains one of the department’s core missions, particularly through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He emphasized that DHS would continue to pursue individuals who enter the country illegally.
However, Mullin also acknowledged a shift toward stronger partnerships with local law enforcement agencies, noting that DHS does not always need to take the lead in every operation. “We don’t always need to be the lead,” he explained. “If the cities aren’t going to want us there, if they’re going to fight against us, fine. We’ll go to cities that want [DHS].”
Staffing and Cybersecurity Concerns at DHS
DHS is still recovering from staffing losses following a recent government shutdown, during which more than 1,100 cybersecurity and infrastructure employees left the department. Mullin acknowledged that these losses have put some DHS missions at risk, but he assured that morale had improved since funding was restored.
“There’s a sense of optimism and morale improvement,” Mullin said, adding that employees cheered when funding was reinstated. “I actually walked through and started shaking people’s hands and high-fiving them because you could see the morale immediately lifted up.”
Vice President JD Vance in Oklahoma City for RNC Fundraiser
In a notable coincidence, Vice President JD Vance was also in Oklahoma City on Tuesday for a Republican National Committee (RNC) fundraiser, which took place at Vast, the top floor of the Devon Tower. The fundraiser drew significant attention, and a heavy security presence was noted in downtown Oklahoma City during Vance’s visit.
Mullin’s visit and Vance’s fundraiser took place on the same day, with the two events happening separately but sharing a common interest in political and public safety issues.
