Markwayne Mullin goes off on 'lying scumbag' Chuck Schumer in explosive Fox clash
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.
🚨WATCH: DHS Secretary @SecMullinDHS sounds off on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer after he claimed that "nobody respects" I.C.E. and Border Patrol. pic.twitter.com/GFGpCPTJD5
— America's Newsroom (@AmericaNewsroom) April 23, 2026
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.
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.
Senator Schumer says “nobody respects” ICE and CBP agents.
— Senate Republicans (@SenateGOP) April 23, 2026
These brave men and women risk their lives every day to keep Americans safe.
Democrats’ hatred towards law enforcement is disgusting. pic.twitter.com/uePZrsB3u8
“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.
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.
( Donald J. Trump - TS: Apr 23 2026, 10:25 AM ET )
— Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) April 23, 2026
Wow! Cryin’ Chuck Schumer just said, for the whole World to hear, that “NOBODY RESPECTS BORDER PATROL OR ICE.” That is one of the most egregious, incorrect, unpatriotic, and dangerous statements I have EVER heard from a… pic.twitter.com/6R4TdGjBj3
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.
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.