Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is facing growing criticism inside the White House four months into his tenure, with officials questioning his handling of major policy decisions that were made without explicit approval from President Donald Trump, according to NBC News.

The tensions escalated after Mullin directed Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, agents nationwide to pause vehicle stops following fatal shootings in Texas and Maine. NBC News reported that the order was issued without consultation with the White House.

Trump reversed the policy within 24 hours, publicly contradicting his own Department of Homeland Security, or DHS, secretary. The reversal was significant because ICE field operations are a central part of federal immigration enforcement, and changes to those practices can quickly become politically sensitive inside an administration that has prioritized immigration policy.

Administration insiders told NBC News, "The decision to pause vehicle stops was '100%' a bad move and that it was done without White House sign-off."

The episode highlighted Trump's expectation that cabinet secretaries obtain presidential approval before making major policy changes, particularly on immigration enforcement. It also underscored the White House's interest in maintaining tight control over messaging and policy execution on one of Trump's most visible issues.

Mullin has also drawn scrutiny for inaccurately citing immigration law during a CNN interview, NBC News reported.

Questions about Mullin's fitness for the position have increased, including concerns about his selection of Lance Schroyer as ICE director. DHS insiders described Schroyer to NBC News as having "extremely limited" knowledge of immigration law.