Luján Votes Against Confirmation of Senator Markwayne Mullin for Secretary of Homeland Security

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after voting against the confirmation of Senator Markwayne Mullin to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS):  

“New Mexicans deserve steady, responsible leadership at the Department of Homeland Security, especially at a time when the agency is facing a serious crisis of accountability. Under the Trump administration, DHS has operated with incompetent leadership and zero oversight. Trump’s out-of-control ICE and CBP agents have killed two American citizens, bashed in windows with children in the car, gone into American citizens’ homes without warrants, and continue to terrorize our communities. Replacing Kristi Noem at DHS without accountability won’t fix anything.

“Real change needs to take place at DHS to regain the trust of the American people and better protect our communities. That’s why I voted against Senator Mullin’s confirmation. Regardless of who leads DHS, I will continue fighting to protect the rights of New Mexicans, keep our communities safe, and hold the Trump administration accountable.”

Senator Luján previously announced he would vote NO against the nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin to serve as Secretary of DHS.

Senator Luján voted against Kristi Noem’s confirmation as DHS Secretary and successfully pushed for her ouster. As negotiations continue to rein in ICE and CBP, Senator Luján and Senate Democrats have fought to fund TSA, FEMA, CISA, the Coast Guard, and other critical DHS functions, but Senate Republicans have blocked those efforts.

Following major DHS scandals, Senator Luján introduced legislation to hold ICE and CBP accountable, increase transparency, and make communities safer. 

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