New Homeland Security Secretary Enjoys More Favourable Public Perception
Markwayne Mullin, the recently appointed Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, is experiencing a notably more positive public reception than his predecessor Kristi Noem after just weeks in the role. According to the latest Daily Mail and JL Partners survey, Mullin's disapproval rating stands significantly lower than Noem's, indicating a potentially smoother tenure ahead for the new cabinet member.
Polling Data Reveals Stark Contrast in Public Opinion
The comprehensive survey reveals that Mullin currently holds an approval rating of 28 percent, with a disapproval rating of 31 percent. This relatively balanced outlook emerges despite the ongoing controversies surrounding Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol operations. Perhaps most telling is the substantial portion of respondents – 40 percent – who remain uncertain or neutral about Mullin's performance, suggesting he benefits from being a fresh face in the position.
This contrasts sharply with the polling data for former Secretary Kristi Noem. Last month, Noem recorded a similar approval rating of approximately 28 percent, but her disapproval rating reached a decisive 43 percent. The significant 12-point gap in disapproval ratings between the two secretaries highlights the challenging public perception Noem faced during her tenure.
Noem's Controversial Tenure Versus Mullin's Fresh Start
Kristi Noem's time leading the Department of Homeland Security was marked by multiple controversies that likely contributed to her higher disapproval numbers. Her administration faced criticism for what critics dubbed her 'ICE Barbie' persona, where she frequently appeared in law enforcement attire while maintaining meticulously styled hair and makeup. Additional scandals included rumors of an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate and controversial decisions regarding departmental travel arrangements.
In contrast, Mullin – a former Oklahoma Senator known for his cowboy hats and boots – appears to be cultivating broader initial support despite inheriting a politically sensitive portfolio. The new secretary has emphasized a different approach, stating in a recent CNBC interview that his goal is to make DHS less controversial under his leadership.
'We're still going after the worst of the worst, but we're doing it in a more quiet way,' Mullin explained. 'My goal in six months is to not have DHS on the lead story every day. We want to make sure people understand we're here working for the people, not against you.'
Broader Cabinet Approval Ratings and Immigration Context
The same survey provided insights into other cabinet members' standing with the public. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emerged as the most popular cabinet official with 37 percent approval against 33 percent disapproval. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent followed with 29 percent approval and 27 percent disapproval. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth recorded the lowest approval rating at negative 7 points.
The polling data comes amid ongoing immigration policy discussions. The Trump administration has highlighted the deportation of nearly 3 million individuals, though DHS estimates reveal that approximately 2.2 million of these were self-deportations, with around 675,000 removed by agents directly. Mullin has provided context about the financial aspects of immigration enforcement, noting that the average cost to prosecute and remove an individual in the country illegally stands at $18,225.
'Under the Biden administration, 20 million individuals came here illegally,' Mullin stated. 'If we go through the process on every single one of those, do the math on that at $18,225 per person.' This calculation suggests a potential total cost of $365 billion to address all estimated undocumented immigrants through formal deportation proceedings.
The survey, which polled over 1,000 American voters, carries a margin of error of 3.1 percent. As Mullin continues to establish his leadership approach at DHS, these initial polling numbers suggest he begins with substantially less public opposition than his predecessor faced, potentially creating more political space to implement his vision for the department's future direction.
