President Donald Trump has clashed repeatedly behind the scenes with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, culminating in two public policy reversals within a two-week span, according to The Free Press.

DHS is one of the federal government's largest departments, overseeing immigration enforcement, border security, disaster response, the Secret Service, and cybersecurity — making leadership stability there consequential across a wide swath of national policy.

Mullin, who was appointed earlier this year to stabilize a department still reeling from a turbulent first year under predecessor Kristi Noem, has found himself at odds with the very president who selected him. "He has made several moves that caused tension within the administration," The Free Press report stated, "including between himself and President Donald Trump."

The most notable dispute centered on the White House's "Salute to America 250" celebration on the National Mall, an event Trump had promoted for months as one of the grandest in American history. As severe weather moved into the Washington area, multiple officials recommended canceling the event, and Mullin issued a directive to that effect. Trump personally overruled the DHS secretary, however, and after an hours-long delay and a temporary evacuation of attendees, took the stage after 11 p.m. to deliver remarks and watch the fireworks.

Trump later wrote on social media that he had "immediately overturned" the cancellation decision. The White House's public statement praising the event's success notably did not dispute reports of the president's private anger at Mullin.

Less than two weeks later, Trump overruled Mullin a second time. The DHS secretary had issued an internal memo instructing ICE agents to stop making arrests at traffic stops, reportedly after speaking with Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) about the fatal shooting of a Colombian immigrant and food delivery driver by an ICE agent in Collins's home state of Maine. The policy reversal drew immediate backlash from immigration hardliners. Trump publicly declared on Truth Social that the administration "cannot give up" traffic stops as an enforcement tool, warning that doing so would "play right into the criminal's hands." Traffic stops have long been a contentious ICE tactic, with civil liberties and immigrant advocacy groups raising concerns about racial profiling and due process, while enforcement proponents argue they are essential for apprehending individuals who might otherwise evade detection.

DHS also faces mounting external pressure from immigration hawks concerned about transparency in deportation statistics. A conservative-aligned nonprofit has filed a lawsuit over unfulfilled public records requests. In apparent response to hardline critics, the department has initiated new airport arrests of noncitizens with expired visas and proposed a $100,000 fee on a visa extension program for STEM students. The White House, however, cautioned that no such policy has been finalized.

Compounding the department's challenges, Mullin has reportedly grown "paranoid" about internal leaks. One incident involved the circulation of a personal résumé belonging to Trump's ICE director nominee, Lance Schroyer, which generated unflattering media coverage. DHS has denied opening a formal investigation into the leak but emphasized the safety risks posed by staff having personal information exposed publicly.