American politician; current role: U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security (2025–2026)
As of April 3, 2026, the US Department of Homeland Security remains partially unfunded since February 14, causing over 100,000 DHS employees, including TSA workers, to go unpaid. The shutdown has led to severe staffing shortages at airports, with TSA officers resigning and calling out sick, resulting in long security lines and missed flights. President Trump deployed paid ICE agents to assist TSA with crowd control, but congressional deadlock over DHS funding and immigration enforcement reforms continues, prolonging travel disruptions nationwide.
Senator Markwayne Mullin has been confirmed as the new head of the Department of Homeland Security, replacing Kristi Noem. His appointment occurs during ongoing funding disputes and controversy over immigration enforcement, including recent police shootings. Mullin aims to reduce DHS's public profile and focus on homeland security efforts.
President Trump has issued an executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security to compile lists of eligible voters and barring the U.S. Postal Service from sending absentee ballots to anyone not on these lists. The order aims to restrict mail-in voting ahead of the November midterms but faces multiple legal challenges citing constitutional overreach and risks of voter disenfranchisement. The American Postal Workers Union has launched a campaign defending mail voting, emphasizing its safety and efficiency.
Since early April 2026, the US has begun deporting migrants to third countries including Costa Rica, Congo, and Uganda under new agreements. These deals, funded by the US, allow deportations of migrants whose home countries refuse them. The arrangements face criticism over legality, human rights, and the involvement of repressive governments, with legal challenges underway in Uganda.
On April 2, 2026, President Donald Trump dismissed Attorney General Pam Bondi after 14 months, citing frustrations over her handling of Jeffrey Epstein files and failed prosecutions of his political opponents. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump's former personal lawyer, was named acting attorney general. Bondi will transition to a private sector role.
The Department of Homeland Security, led by Secretary Markwayne Mullin, is exploring the possibility of removing customs processing services from sanctuary cities with international airports. This move aims to pressure jurisdictions that do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, potentially disrupting international travel and affecting major airports like SFO and LAX. The proposal has drawn criticism from California officials and immigration advocates.
Bryon Noem, husband of former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, has been exposed for engaging in a cross-dressing fetish community, sending explicit messages and payments to women online since 2020. The scandal has prompted widespread local and political reactions, with questions about privacy and public image ongoing.
The House of Representatives did not take up a Senate-passed funding bill, prolonging the DHS partial shutdown that began on February 14. The deadlock centers on immigration enforcement funding, with Democrats demanding reforms and Republicans opposing them. The shutdown affects airport security and federal workers' pay, with no immediate resolution in sight.
The Department of Homeland Security has paused plans to convert warehouses into detention centers across the US, following legal challenges and community opposition. Several projects, including in Utah and Maryland, are under review as the department considers future steps amid ongoing disputes.
Todd Lyons has announced he will step down as acting ICE chief on May 31, transitioning to the private sector. His departure follows criticism of ICE's enforcement practices, including fatal shootings and allegations of misconduct. Lyons has led efforts to arrest and remove migrants amid heightened immigration enforcement.
Multiple members of Congress are under investigation for misconduct, including sexual harassment, campaign violations, and military actions. Several have resigned or are facing expulsion efforts, highlighting ongoing issues of ethics and accountability in Washington. The investigations are ongoing as political tensions remain high.
A new poll shows that half of Americans, including a quarter of Trump voters, view President Trump’s mass deportation efforts as too aggressive. Despite leadership changes, public opinion remains broadly negative, with concerns about safety and the effectiveness of immigration enforcement. The administration continues to defend its strategy.
Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer has announced her departure following an investigation into misconduct allegations, including misuse of resources and personal misconduct. She is expected to leave for a private sector role, with Deputy Secretary Sonderling set to serve as acting secretary. The investigation is nearing its conclusion.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has indicted 43 individuals tied to the Mexican Mafia in a sweeping operation across Orange County, with cases spanning murder, kidnapping, extortion and drug trafficking. Authorities have seized firearms, cash and narcotics as part of the ongoing effort to disrupt the gang’s reach from prisons to the streets.
AP and other outlets report a recalibration of U.S. immigration enforcement. The administration has moved away from highly publicized tactics while maintaining deportation targets. ICE arrests have declined nationally since leadership changes in late January, though pockets of activity persist in several states.
A string of court decisions has kept Temporary Protected Status in play as the Supreme Court weighs termination actions for Haiti and Syria. Rulings have required due process reviews amid broader political battles over humanitarian protections.
Federal judges in New York and Washington have barred the Trump administration from terminating Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians. The administration is appealing, arguing DHS can end TPS, while opponents say the process was not followed. The cases affect hundreds of thousands and come as the Supreme Court weighs related immigration and asylum issues.
The Trump administration has nominated Robert Hamilton to lead FEMA as its permanent administrator. The move has followed a Trump-appointed council report recommending sweeping reforms to FEMA that would shift more disaster responsibility to states and change how federal aid is triggered and delivered.
New York has reached a budget deal that bars state and local officials from cooperating with ICE, and bars ICE from housing detainees in local jails. The policy also bars wearing masks by law enforcement and provides guardrails on enforcement, with officials arguing it protects residents from federal crackdowns while ICE vows to intensify manpower.
Omar has been sprayed with apple cider vinegar while criticizing federal immigration crackdowns; the assailant has pleaded guilty to assaulting a U.S. officer. Omar has not been injured and continues to speak about immigration policy.
Costa Rica has installed its new president, with outgoing leader Rodrigo Chaves retaining influence as dual presidency/finance minister. The move aligns with a controversial strategy to reform security and judiciary ahead of Fernández's term, while maintaining strong ties to the United States and regionally significant deals on deportations continue.
David Venturella has been named Acting ICE Director to replace Todd Lyons as Lyons departs at the end of May. Venturella previously led ICE detention contracts and has ties to the GEO Group; confirmation remains pending amid ongoing DHS management changes.
Tulsi Gabbard has announced she will resign as U.S. director of national intelligence, effective June 30, saying she must care for her husband after his diagnosis with a rare bone cancer. The White House has said Aaron Lukas will serve as acting DNI; Reuters reports a source saying the White House forced her out.
AP News reports a widening probe ties multiple Puerto Rico officials to alleged corruption and interference in a key agency, prompting resignations and fresh scrutiny from Congress while the island battles outages and recovery delays.
Presidential aides have faced renewed pressure as internal memos discuss suspending habeas corpus for unauthorized immigrants, prompting constitutional concerns and calls for clarity from Congress.
The Senate confirms a permanent FEMA administrator candidate who has pledged objectivity and faster disaster decisions, amid concerns about partisan influence and staff downsizing.
Florida’s Alligator Alcatraz detention facility has been closed and all detainees transferred to other sites as hurricane season begins. Officials say the move prioritizes safety, but critics warn the harm to detainees and ongoing costs persist amid legal battles and environmental concerns.
The Department of Homeland Security has paused and is reviewing thepurchase of 11 warehouses made under Kristi Noem’s leadership. The department is now moving to utilize existing detention space with state and county partners as it weighs next steps and potential disposal of several facilities.
McKenna Wendel's missing case has culminated in five charges against her uncle Mark Milk and additional conspiracy and accessory counts against a Brookings resident, with prosecutors tying the case to a earlier manslaughter commutation. Details remain guarded as investigations proceed.
The Supreme Court has allowed the current administration to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians, directly affecting about 350,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians, with broader implications for nearly 1.3 million TPS holders from 17 countries. The decision is seen as a major milestone in immigration policy and signals potential deportations for those losing status.