Markwayne Mullin says ICE has been ‘demonized’ amid growing backlash and falling morale

WASHINGTON, DC: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin came to the defense of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents this week, saying the agency has been unfairly ‘demonized’ as morale inside ICE continues to decline amid relentless political and media scrutiny.

But at a Police Week event recognizing fallen law enforcement officers, Mullin gave an emotional message of support to ICE personnel, saying the agency has become a political lightning rod even as officers continue to conduct immigration enforcement operations across the country.

Markwayne Mullin says ICE morale has ‘taken an absolute tank’

“For some reason, ICE has been demonized,” Mullin said during his remarks. “I walked in as secretary of DHS, but also walked into an agency that 18 months ago, most American people didn’t even know about.”

Mullin argued ICE agents were previously able to do their jobs largely outside the national spotlight before immigration enforcement became one of the country’s most politically explosive issues.

“And I know morale has taken an absolute tank. And I hate it,” he added. “And all they knew that you guys might exist, but they really didn't know because you wasn't on the TV all the time.”

The DHS secretary also invoked his Christian faith while directly addressing ICE officers and agents, quoting the Bible verse: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

“If any agency needs to hear that, it’s ICE,” Mullin said. “No matter what the media wants to say, I know you’re doing your job every day.”

He continued by promising agents that DHS leadership would continue publicly defending them amid the ongoing backlash surrounding deportation operations and enforcement raids.

“I’m willing to stand beside you and stand in front of you and defend you every single day,” Mullin said.

Markwayne Mullin lauds ICE and shows ‘tremendous’ support

Mullin’s comments highlight how central ICE has become to President Donald Trump’s second-term immigration agenda.

“I take it with tremendous pride, and I'm willing to stand beside you and stand in front of you and defend you every single day," he said.

Mullin later reinforced that message in a post on X honoring ICE officers who died in the line of duty.

The secretary said ICE personnel have continued putting “the American people first” despite government shutdowns and what he described as a “more than 1,300% increase in assaults on our officers.”

“Our 22,000 ICE personnel have continued to put the American people first through government shutdowns and a more than 1,300% increase in assaults on our officers.”

“To our ICE personnel, thank you for enforcing the laws Congress passed and getting dangerous illegals aliens off our streets. We have your back.”

The administration has intensified deportation operations across the country as it tries to remake ICE’s public image following months of intense controversy over high-profile raids and detention policies.

Mullin has previously said he wanted DHS agencies operating “more behind the scenes” so officers can do their jobs “without being harassed by the media.”