Mullin's influence muzzled already as Trump listens to one person on immigration: analysis

Donald Trump's latest administration appointment is already set to struggle, according to a political analyst who believes the incoming Department of Homeland Security head has a fight on his hands.

This is primarily because of who the president listens to when it comes to immigration and administrative tactics. Trump is reportedly reliant on Stephen Miller, the Homeland Security Advisor, and Markwayne Mullin stands no chance of shifting that influence according to The Hill.

A. Scott Bolden, a former New York state prosecutor, believes Mullin will be unable to sway the president on any new tactics for the future of the administration.

Bolden wrote, "The new face Trump wants to put on his war on unauthorized immigrants is Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), who served in the House for 10 years before becoming a senator in 2023.

"Mullin will start serving as acting DHS secretary March 31 and will be able to hold that position while his nomination is pending in the Senate, where the Republican majority will likely confirm him to head the department.

"Crucially, even assuming Mullin is confirmed, much of Trump’s immigration policy will continue to be driven by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, an anti-immigration fanatic who advocates cruel mass deportations of unauthorized immigrants. This will limit Mullin’s influence."

Mullin may not even seek to rock the boat once he becomes a member of the administration either, with Bolden suggesting the loyalty he has to Trump is more important than his credentials.

Bolden wrote, "This blind loyalty to Trump — regardless of what the law or the Constitution says — helps explain the abysmal performance of the Trump administration in many areas. Too many Trump appointees, like Noem, don’t have the experience or ability to actually do their jobs."

"Mullin will have plenty of problems to wrestle with at Homeland Security. First up will be ending the partial shutdown of the agency by winning approval of funding for its operations this year, which is being blocked by congressional Democrats as they seek sensible reforms at ICE."

"I hope Mullin proves me wrong and turns out to be a great Homeland Security secretary who reverses many of Trump’s awful policies. I also hope to win millions of dollars in a lottery. Unfortunately, I believe the odds of both these hopes coming true are about the same."