Mullin’s DHS Drive: Still Building Bridges on Capitol Hill

Despite stepping up efforts to mend ties between the Department of Homeland Security and Congress, Mullin still faces friction: Rand Paul remains skeptical of his temperament, Democrats are wary of his leadership, and the White House has not fully embraced him as DHS’s Hill point person. On the flip side, some House Republicans report improved communication and Mullin appears ready to play a bigger funding‑season role ahead of his upcoming House Appropriations testimony and any to‑be‑negotiated reconciliation bill for ICE and CBP.