Markwayne Mullin goes off on 'lying scumbag' Chuck Schumer in explosive Fox clash

Markwayne Mullin said Chuck Schumer's remarks disrespected community-protecting agents, while he himself benefited from security details
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Fox News, accusing him of insulting ICE and DHS (Getty Images, AP Photos)
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Fox News, accusing him of insulting ICE and DHS (Getty Images, AP Photos)

WASHINGTON, DC: Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin launched an extraordinary on-air tirade against Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer during a tense Thursday, April 23, conversation on Fox News, accusing Democrats of crippling homeland security funding and insulting federal agents.

Mullin’s blistering remarks came after he was asked to respond to Schumer’s criticism of immigration enforcement agencies.



Markwayne Mullin erupts after Chuck Schumer clip

During an interview with Fox correspondent Bill Melugin, Mullin was shown comments from Schumer suggesting that “nobody” respected Border Patrol or ICE.

Asked for his reaction, Mullin immediately went on offense.

“It makes my ears red. It takes a lot to get me upset. But Chuck Schumer, no one respects you,” Mullin said.

He then escalated further, calling the Democratic leader “The definition of a lying scumbag politician.”

Mullin accused Schumer of disguising support for open-border policies while attacking officers tasked with enforcing immigration law.

The Homeland Security chief said Schumer’s remarks were disrespectful to agents who protect communities every day, adding that the senator benefited from security details while criticizing frontline officers.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., walks to speak with reporters about Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, outside the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer walks to speak with reporters about Kristi Noem outside the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, March 5, 2026 (AP Photo/J Scott Applewhite)

Markwayne Mullin warns DHS nearing crisis

Mullin then pivoted to the department’s finances, saying the prolonged funding lapse had created operational strain across homeland security agencies.

According to Mullin, DHS handles roughly $1.7 billion in payroll every two weeks and employs around 270,000 workers.

He said emergency authority signed by President Donald Trump would only cover payroll through late April, with future payments in doubt.

“After that, I don’t have the ability to pay the employees anymore.” He also claimed that unpaid bills were piling up, Coast Guard fuel access was being disrupted, and licensing delays had created a backlog of 18,000 vessels.

The secretary insisted that Americans overwhelmingly supported tougher border enforcement and deportations.



“The American people overwhelmingly support deporting these illegal immigrants, polling is like an 80% issue,” Mullin said.

He argued that Democratic leaders feared backlash from their activist base more than public opinion, accusing them of “holding the homeland hostage.”

Mullin said Democrats were choosing “political theater” while homeland security personnel continued working under growing uncertainty.

Prior to votes, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., makes a statement to a forum on climate change and the consequences for home insurance, grocery prices, and health care costs, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, March 26, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer makes a statement at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, March 26, 2026 (AP Photo/J Scott Applewhite)

Trump blasts Chuck Schumer and demands apology

President Donald Trump also lashed out at Chuck Schumer in a sharp Truth Social post on Thursday, demanding an immediate apology over remarks about immigration agencies.

Trump called the statement “egregious,” “unpatriotic,” and “dangerous,” arguing it disrespected federal officers.



He ended his post with a blunt demand, insisting Schumer “must immediately apologize” to what he described as “great patriots” serving on the front lines of immigration enforcement.

The confrontation followed fresh comments from Schumer on the Senate floor, where he accused the Trump administration of weaponizing federal institutions.

Schumer said Trump was turning the Department of Justice into the “Department of Vengeance” after prosecutors announced an indictment involving the Southern Poverty Law Center.

President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media following a meeting with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim ibn Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani aboard Air Force One during a refueling stop at Al-Udeid Air Base on October 25, 2025 in Abu Nakhlah, Qatar.  (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One during a refueling stop at Al-Udeid Air Base on October 25, 2025, in Abu Nakhlah, Qatar (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

The Justice Department unveiled an 11-count indictment tied to alleged bank and wire fraud connected to a now-defunct program that used paid informants to monitor extremist groups.

Schumer called the case politically disturbing and said it should alarm Americans concerned about civil liberties and rule of law.

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