Full Breakdown
DHS Infighting Over Trump’s Mass-Deportation Plan Sparks ‘Clear-the-Room’ Incident
5/6/2026, 4:49:54 AM
The February 2025 Clash
In February 2025, CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott and acting ICE Director Caleb Vitello met with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to discuss a “master plan” that would merge ICE, CBP, and Pentagon resources to meet President Trump’s target of one million deportations annually. Vitello warned that the addresses of roughly 700,000 removal-order individuals were outdated, risking wrongful detention of U.S. citizens. Scott’s angry response—slamming his hands on the table—prompted staff to clear the room and end the meeting.
Background, Timeline, and Policy Shifts
The master plan called for a National Incident Command Center, which never fully launched. After the February clash, Vitello was reassigned and Todd Lyons became acting ICE director. In March 2025 Trump removed Noem. In May 2025 Lyons authorized home raids using ICE administrative warrants, bypassing judges. By April 2026 DHS reported 570,000 deportations, far short of the one-million goal.
Impact and Public Reaction
The June-July 2025 enforcement surge triggered protests in Los Angeles and other Democratic cities. A February 2026 Marist poll found nearly two-thirds of Americans believed ICE had overreached. The January 2026 Minneapolis operation resulted in the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti, amplifying civil-rights criticism that the warrantless-raid policy violated due process.
Official Statements & Responses
President Trump said the administration would adopt a softer approach while maintaining firmness. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the internal dispute as “normal” and praised the team’s passion. DHS secretary Markwayne Mullin announced a pause on warrantless home entries and halted plans for mass-detention warehouses. Acting ICE director Todd Lyons testified that 570,000 deportations had been completed.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources disagree on whether the National Incident Command Center ever functioned; some say it never materialized, while others note that “parts of the plan” were implemented. No public accounting exists on the number of erroneous detentions, leaving a key accountability gap.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Scott slammed his hands on a table, visibly angry.” — NBC News
- “I learned that maybe we could use a little bit of a softer touch. But you still have to be tough.” — President Trump
- “He said he worried that U.S. citizens could get wrongfully swept up in the surges if agents entered homes without warrants, which require law enforcement agencies to show evidence to judges to gain access.” — Caleb Vitello, ICE director
- “it's no secret President Trump has put together a team of people who are incredibly passionate about the issues impacting our country.” — Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary
What’s Next
Markwayne Mullin’s pause on warrantless home entries is expected to remain while DHS reviews civil-rights implications. Congressional committees have signaled interest in investigating the May 2025 warrant-use memo and the accuracy of removal-order address databases, suggesting further policy adjustments before the next fiscal year.
