Mullin Slams Democrats Over DHS Shutdown, Calls It 'Political Theater'

Republican senator says Democrats are holding federal workers 'hostage' over immigration reforms that 'cannot be done'.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) criticized Democrats on Sunday for the current Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, calling their actions 'political theater' and accusing them of holding federal workers 'hostage' over immigration reforms that 'cannot be done'.

Why it matters

The DHS shutdown is the latest clash in the ongoing battle over immigration policy under the Trump administration, with Democrats pushing for reforms to immigration enforcement practices and Republicans resisting. The shutdown is disrupting the operations of key federal agencies like the TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard.

The details

Mullin told CNN's Jake Tapper that Democrats are not actually stopping ICE or Border Patrol from doing their jobs, but are instead engaging in 'political theater' ahead of the State of the Union address. He accused Democrats of holding federal workers 'hostage' over reforms that 'cannot be done' through a DHS shutdown. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the Democratic demands for reforming DHS, including tightening warrant requirements and prohibiting masks for federal immigration officers, are 'common sense'.

  • The DHS funding ran out early Saturday morning, causing the third at least partial shutdown of Trump's second term.
  • The State of the Union address is scheduled for a week from Tuesday.

The players

Sen. Markwayne Mullin

A Republican senator from Oklahoma who criticized Democrats over the DHS shutdown.

Chuck Schumer

The Senate Minority Leader, a Democrat from New York, who said the Democratic demands for reforming DHS are 'common sense'.

Jake Tapper

The CNN host who interviewed Mullin and Schumer on 'State of the Union'.

President Trump

The president whose strict immigration agenda has faced intense heat during his second term.

Alex Pretti and Renee Good

Two people who were shot and killed by federal immigration authorities in Minneapolis last month, causing more outrage directed at DHS.

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What they’re saying

“What is actually happening right now with the Democrat Party by this political theater, by shutting down DHS for something that you even admitted yourself can't be done. They're not stopping [Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)] from doing their job. They're not stopping the Border Patrol from doing their job. All this is a political theater because the State of the Union is coming up a week from Tuesday, because, if this was really a serious conversation, they wouldn't be holding the [Transportation Security Administration (TSA)] workers or [Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)] or the Coast Guard hostage over something that cannot be done by the ridiculous shutdown of DHS.”

— Sen. Markwayne Mullin, Republican Senator from Oklahoma (CNN)

“We need masks off, we need cameras on and we need every police — every ICE officer, to be identified.”

— Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader (CNN)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.