Full Breakdown
Congressional Hearings Spotlight Markwayne Mullin’s Jet Use, Court-Order Stance, and Airport Threats
6/4/2026, 12:40:33 AM
June 2026 Congressional Hearings Turn Into Heated Clash
During a June 2 Senate appropriations hearing and a June 3 House budget hearing, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin defended using a Gulfstream G700, refused to pledge adherence to federal court orders, and warned that Customs and Border Protection officers could be pulled from airports that do not cooperate with immigration enforcement.
Leadership Change and Prior DHS Turmoil
Mullin succeeded Kristi Noem in March 2026; Noem had bought two Gulfstream jets for up to $200 million during a shutdown. DHS later endured a 75-day shutdown, two Minneapolis immigration-agent killings, and a $170 billion enforcement budget now facing a $72 billion supplemental request.
Principal Participants
Secretary Mullin, Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-VA), Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) as chair, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), a DHS source, ICE’s Delaney Hall detention center, and the U.S. Travel Association and airlines.
Key Numbers
The Gulfstream G700 costs $80 million; ICE holds ~56,000 detainees. A 76-day shutdown cut DHS staff 8 %. Delaney Hall holds ~700 of 1,000 capacity. CBP training is 72 days, up from 42.
Implications for Travel, Budget, and Rule of Law
Pulling CBP officers could disrupt travel for the 2026 World Cup, which starts June 11 near Newark. Budget decisions affect the $170 billion enforcement program and a $72 billion supplemental request. Selective court-order compliance raises constitutional concerns and erodes trust in DHS.
Official Statements
Mullin said statutes require his use of government aircraft and that the Gulfstreams are assets he will not sell. Garbarino paused hearing. Murphy warned that court-order compliance erodes democracy. Murray called the airport-withdrawal plan “insane.”
Democratic Criticism
Democrats urged jet sales to fund DHS housing, condemned Mullin’s refusal to obey court orders, labeled the airport-withdrawal threat “insane,” and accused the agency of racism; Mullin cited his Cherokee heritage.
Detention Center Protests
Detainees at Delaney Hall staged a hunger and labor strike over spoiled food, delayed medical care, sewage problems. Police sealed the protest area, and Mullin warned he could halt Newark flights without security guarantees.
Discrepancies and Unanswered Questions
ICE detainee numbers differ (56,000, 68,000, 40,000). Mullin said he would shut Newark’s processing, later said it was unnecessary. Jet values range from $80 million per aircraft to $200 million total. No answer on jet sale or court-order compliance.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Have you used the Gulfstream jet to fly to Oklahoma, Mr. Secretary?” — Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-VA
- “isn't Holiday Inn.” — Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of Homeland Security
- “Your plan to withdraw CBP officers from airports in cities that don’t roll over for Trump, that is insane,” — Sen. Patty Murray, D-WA
- “Mullin seems to think DHS requires less work than a senator, and it shows.” — DHS source
Next Steps
The House Homeland Security Committee will reconvene Wednesday to vote on the department’s budget, while the Senate debates a three-year immigration-enforcement funding bill that could bypass Democratic opposition. DHS is expected to issue a formal policy on the Gulfstream jets and clarify its approach to court orders before the World Cup kickoff on June 11.
