DHS Secretary Says California Governor Steyer Misunderstands ICE

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin has accused California gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer of failing to understand Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as the new Democratic frontrunner promises to eliminate the agency if elected.

During an appearance on “The Ingraham Angle” on Wednesday, Mullin dismissed Steyer’s comments that ICE has a “criminal” habit.

“I’m going to be blunt about this; ICE needs to be done away with,” Steyer said in a February interview. “You really can’t change a wrong and criminal organization from the top down.”

Mullin, who took over the Department of Homeland Security about three weeks ago, said the Democratic gubernatorial hopeful does not have the power to end the immigration movement.

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“He has no authority to do it, and he’s talking out of his mouth,” she told Fox News host Laura Ingraham. “He doesn’t understand the role of ICE.”

Recent polls place Steyer as the frontrunner in the race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom. He leads with 21 percent of likely voters, while Republican candidate Steve Hilton trails at 18 percent.

Steyer emerged as the frontrunner in the Democratic Alliance after allegations of sexual misconduct forced Eric Swalwell to abandon his campaign for minister and resign from Congress.

Mullin criticized Steyer’s stance on immigration enforcement, saying ICE is required to comply with federal law.

“ICE is just using the country’s immigration policies and deporting people and going after criminals who shouldn’t be in this country,” a DHS official told Fox News.

US President Donald Trump looks on as newly sworn-in Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin speaks in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, March 24, 2026. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images)

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“We don’t do anything outside the law, we work well within the law, and they do a job every day protecting, even people like him, who want to take out criminals. It makes no sense to me.”

Mullin also said that Steyer’s California Democrats, who have played a major role in the fight against ICE, have the power to reform ICE through legislation in Congress.

“[Steyer] Are you saying they are criminals from top to bottom? ICE enforces laws passed by Congress. That means the Democrats who represent California in the federal government, if they want to change ICE’s mandate, they can,” he added.

In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, Steyer said President Donald Trump is responsible for turning ICE into a “criminal.”

“I fully understand the role that ICE has played under this president,” Steyer wrote in a statement. “Donald Trump has turned ICE into a criminal enterprise, so we will treat them like one. If they break the law in California, they will be prosecuted – just like everyone else.”

Agents of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) knock on the door of a residence during a targeted operation of several companies in Chicago, Illinois, US, on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. (Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg)

In addition to protecting ICE, the new DHS secretary promised to maintain the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation campaign and spoke of a willingness to accept the “right” kind of immigrants.

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“We’re not slowing down,” Mullin said. “We are following those who are illegal, we would like them to go, we will help them. We have plans to help you return to your country because if we have to go through persecution, you will never return to this country legally.”

“We want the legal entry of people, people who want to make the country strong. We are a nation of immigrants. We understand that. But the right kinds of immigrants. “