DHS Secretary says California governor candidate Steyer misunderstands ICE

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin has accused California gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer of not understanding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as the new Democratic frontrunner vows to abolish the agency if elected.

During an appearance on “The Ingraham Angle” Wednesday, Mullin pushed back on Steyer’s comments that ICE had “criminal” tendencies.

“I’m very blunt about this: ICE should be abolished,” Steyer said during a February debate. “We really cannot reform an organization that is absolutely bad and criminal from top to bottom.”

Mullin, who took the helm of the Department of Homeland Security about three weeks ago, said the Democratic gubernatorial nominee does not have the authority to abolish the federal immigration agency.

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The DHS secretary disparaged California Gov. Tom Steyer’s favorite on Wednesday, saying he “doesn’t understand” the role of ICE. (Left (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images), right (Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images))

“He doesn’t have the authority to do it and he’s talking out of the left side of his mouth,” he told Fox News host Laura Ingraham. “He doesn’t understand the role of ICE.”

A recent poll puts Steyer ahead of the race to replace California Governor Gavin Newsom. He leads with 21% of likely voters, while Republican candidate Steve Hilton trails with 18%.

Steyer suddenly became a Democratic frontrunner after various allegations of sexual misconduct forced Eric Swalwell to abandon his gubernatorial campaign and resign from Congress.

Mullin criticized Steyer’s stance on immigration enforcement, arguing that ICE is required to follow federal law.

“ICE is simply enforcing the country’s immigration policies, deporting individuals and going after criminals who should never be in this country,” the DHS chief told Fox News.

U.S. President Donald Trump watches as new Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin speaks in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, March 24, 2026. (Photo by Jim WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

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“We don’t do anything outside the law, we work within the law and they do a daily job to protect, even people like him, who want to decriminalize criminals. That makes no sense to me.”

Mullin also said Steyer’s fellow California Democrats, who largely support anti-ICE positions, have the power to reform ICE through congressional legislation.

“[Steyer] says they are criminals through and through? ICE enforces laws passed by Congress. “That means that the Democrats who represent California in the federal government, if they wanted to change ICE’s authority, they could do that,” he added.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Steyer said President Donald Trump was responsible for making ICE “criminal.”

“I fully understand the role ICE has played under this president,” Steyer wrote in the statement. “Donald Trump has turned ICE into a criminal enterprise, so we will treat them as such. If they break the law in California, they will be prosecuted, just like anyone else.”

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents knock on the door of a residence during a multi-agency targeted enforcement operation in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. (Christophe Dilts/Bloomberg)

In addition to defending ICE, the new DHS secretary pledged to maintain the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation campaign and signaled a willingness to accept the “right” kind of immigrants.

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“We’re not slowing down,” Mullin said. “We pursue illegal immigrants, and we would love for them to leave on their own, and we will help them. We have programs to help you get back to your country, because if we have to go through the prosecution process, you will never come back to this country legally.”

“We want legal immigration, people who want to make the country stronger. We are a nation of immigrants. We understand that. But the good kind of immigrants. »