Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated on the "Ruthless Podcast" that 2,210 terrorists have been apprehended under the Trump administration's approach to illegal immigration. The secretary presented the figure during an exclusive interview released Thursday morning, contrasting the current administration's actions with those of its predecessor.
Mullin described the apprehended individuals as having frequently claimed asylum and used false names. He asserted that many of these individuals would have been released under the Biden administration, which he claimed released 97% of individuals encountered by the Department of Homeland Security within 27 hours. The secretary emphasized a distinction between suspected terrorists and those on watch lists, stating that the individuals in question were classified specifically as terrorists.
The Department of Homeland Security announced earlier this month, ahead of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, that it had detained 2,150 known or suspected terrorists. Mullin's podcast figure of 2,210 exceeds that earlier departmental announcement. He attributed the increased arrests to a new administration-wide directive to operate on the offensive rather than playing defense. Mullin cited cybersecurity as an example of this shift, stating that the agency is now actively pursuing individuals rather than merely protecting against attacks.
Mullin, an Oklahoman who served in the House before winning election to the Senate in 2022, was nominated by President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Homeland Security in March. The Senate confirmed his appointment by a vote of 54-45 on March 23. In the interview, Mullin described his transition to the cabinet post as demanding, stating that he has not slept through the night in six months since taking office.
The discussion took place with less than a month remaining until the November midterm elections. Podcast co-host Josh Holmes commended Mullin for his performance, noting that immigration remains a polarizing political issue. Holmes claimed that the department had previously been shut down due to Democratic demagoguery regarding border security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He stated that the previous administration prioritized the lowest-hanging fruit of deportations rather than rapidly removing individuals from the country.