Markwayne Mullin on Government Transparency

Markwayne Mullin

Role at the time: U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, interviewed on CNN's State of the Union

Statement summary

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin told CNN's Jake Tapper that Oscar Belgal knew exactly who the officers were and decided to flee once again, and that when someone tries to flee from officers they are making their own decisions. He also described Belgal as a thug and a gangbanger and read out his record.

“He knew exactly who we were. He decided to flee once again, like he had done before. And so, when someone tries to flee from us, they're taking their -- they're making their decisions at that time.”

Markwayne Mullin

Role at the time: U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, at a news briefing at ICE headquarters in Washington

Statement summary

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said at a Friday news briefing at ICE headquarters in Washington that the agents were not aware the child was in the car and that the man knew he had a child in his car. NBC News reported that Mullin was blaming the man for endangering the child.

“We weren't aware the child was in the car ... Oscar knew he had a child in his car”

Markwayne Mullin

Role at the time: U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, at a press conference at ICE headquarters in Washington

Statement summary

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said at a press conference at ICE headquarters that agents identified themselves and gave lawful orders as they approached the vehicle, that there was no question who was approaching, and that a person who flees knows officers will not give up on him. He said ICE is not pausing enforcement in New York and is not sorry, because its job is to enforce the nation's laws and go after the worst of the worst.

“We identified ourselves and gave lawful orders as we approached the vehicle. There was no question who was approaching the vehicle. ... When you flee, especially for a criminal like him, he knows that officers aren't going to give up on him ... We're not putting a pause on enforcement ... In fact, I'm not sorry. Our job is to enforce the nation's laws and go after the worst of the worst, and our men and women do a dang good job at it every single day, and we will not stop doing our job.”