Markwayne Mullin reportedly sidelined inside Donald Trump’s DHS amid power struggle
WASHINGTON, DC: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is reportedly facing growing frustration inside Donald Trump’s administration as sources claim the White House has already sidelined him from major decisions just months into his leadership role.
According to a recent Daily Mail report published Thursday, May 7, several administration insiders described Mullin as little more than a “figurehead” struggling to control internal power battles within DHS.
Markwayne Mullin compared to Kristi Noem as insiders question his control over DHS
One senior Trump administration official told the outlet, “Markwayne is more like a figurehead. I don't think he realized that going in.”
The source also compared Mullin to former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who allegedly held far more influence inside Trump’s orbit.
“Kristi was more like a monarch, a queen with real power,” the official reportedly said.
The report paints a picture of a department where real authority may no longer rest with the secretary himself, despite Mullin officially leading one of the most powerful agencies in the federal government.
Donald Trump's White House reportedly controls Markwayne Mullin’s influence
Insiders claimed the White House has been tightly controlling Mullin’s authority from the start, limiting his role in major decisions and personnel choices.
A White House source told the Daily Mail that the administration has been “gating” Mullin’s influence “at every turn.”
The source added, “He has a seat at the table...but it’s a table.”
One of the biggest reported signs of Mullin’s weakened position involved the ongoing search for a new acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
According to the report, Mullin backed Tulsa Sheriff Vic Regalado for the role after Todd Lyons stepped aside. But the White House allegedly rejected the choice almost immediately.
“Markwayne certainly has a dog in the fight for head of ICE,” one source told the outlet.
“But he is bringing a little chihuahua, while everyone else is bringing big dogs, like German shepherds or rottweilers,” the source added.
The comparison highlighted what insiders described as Mullin’s lack of political muscle compared to other powerful figures inside Trump’s administration.
Tom Homan and Susie Wiles reportedly leading key DHS decisions
The Daily Mail report claimed the real influence inside DHS currently belongs to a small group of Trump loyalists operating around Mullin rather than under him.
Border Czar Tom Homan, Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles were all identified by sources as the real power brokers shaping immigration and homeland security decisions.
According to insiders, Homan has played a particularly dominant role in selecting possible candidates to lead ICE.
The reported frontrunners included Marcos Charles, a senior official within ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations division, along with David Venturella, the agency’s second-ranking ERO official.
A senior administration official reportedly described the process as one largely happening around Mullin instead of through him.
“The decision for the new ICE director is being steered not by the Secretary, but by Homan - with Mullin left to sign off on whatever name lands on his desk,” the official told the outlet.
