Platner Left To Drift Away On The Maine Shore.
Three months into Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s tenure, he is succeeding in his pledge to get his department out of the headlines.
Mullin and his deputies have adopted a lower-profile approach to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, mothballing the flashy and aggressive tactics employed by his predecessor Kristi Noem. While the Department of Homeland Security continues to deport large numbers of unauthorized immigrants, it is making fewer arrests in public, holding back from deploying fresh waves of immigration agents to hotspots and has scrapped a plan to expand mega-warehouse detention facilities.
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Mullin’s pledges of a more discreet DHS are becoming reality
Trump’s new Homeland Security secretary is making the administration’s immigration crackdown more discreet.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin testifies before a House Appropriations subcommittee on Capitol Hill in Washington, on June 25, 2026. | Jose Luis Magana/AP
07/06/2026 10:01 AM EDT
Three months into Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s tenure, he is succeeding in his pledge to get his department out of the headlines.
Mullin and his deputies have adopted a lower-profile approach to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, mothballing the flashy and aggressive tactics employed by his predecessor Kristi Noem. While the Department of Homeland Security continues to deport large numbers of unauthorized immigrants, it is making fewer arrests in public, holding back from deploying fresh waves of immigration agents to hotspots and has scrapped a plan to expand mega-warehouse detention facilities.
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It’s all with the aim of fulfilling the president’s pledge for large-scale deportations — without attracting the kind of public attention that ignited widespread protests.
“It’s by design,” said one person familiar with strategic discussions within DHS, who like others was granted anonymity to speak freely about the conversations inside its agencies. “Just like Mullin and [acting ICE chief David] Venturella want — quieter and smarter operations. Finally.”
By Eric Bazail-Eimil, Myah Ward and Daniel Lippman
Politico’
The Maine Senate race has take many twists and turns with the latest allegation to come forward involving sexual assault which will likely lead to a major shakeup. The balance of power in Washington could hinge on this race and a replacement would be in a difficult position similar to Kamala Harris in 2024 who was anointed as President Biden’s replacement. New candidates will be vying for a potential shot at being the nominee very soon because Mr. Platner’s chances are now dismal.
