Why this leaning score
The model judged this article politically coded and scored it +0.75, but 3 quote(s) could not be found in the article and the other 2 are attributed speech rather than the article's own narration, so the score is not published.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score withheld for article 9516: no verified evidence · logged 2026-09-14
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is drawing a distinction between the federal judges he says the Trump administration can work with and those he says are "almost impossible" to deal with, singling out judges appointed by President Joe Biden as the administration continues to fight immigration battles in federal court.
asserted
administration → draw → court
"We find judges, for the most part, honestly, that we can work with in almost every area.
asserted
we → find → area
But you've got some of the judges that were appointed underneath Obama and definitely, if they're appointed by Biden, they are almost impossible to work with," said Mullin on the sidelines of the RNC Midterm Convention on Thursday.
asserted
Mullin → get → Thursday
Mullin’s comments come as the Trump administration has repeatedly run into federal judges over its immigration policies, including recent rulings involving birthright citizenship and immigrant visa issuance.
asserted
administration → come → citizenship
But while those court fights have received significant attention, Mullin offered a broader assessment of the judges he believes are most difficult for DHS to work with, specifically pointing to judges appointed by Biden — and, to a lesser extent, Obama.
asserted
DHS → receive → extent
In April, Biden-appointed Judge Brian Murphy blocked the Trump administration from ending temporary protected status for more than 5,000 Ethiopians, while in September, Biden-appointed Judge Deborah Boardman blocked enforcement of Trump’s August executive order limiting birthright citizenship, finding the order likely unconstitutional.
asserted
order → appoint → citizenship
Mullin said immigration cases should be "cut and dry," arguing that they ultimately come down to whether an individual entered the country legally and has the proper paperwork.
asserted
individual → say → paperwork
He compared the issue to homeownership, asking whether someone has "the deed of the house you’re living in" and whether they legally own it.
Mullin also criticized state and local officials in blue states for limiting cooperation with ICE detainer requests, including in cases in which DHS alleges that detainees are violent criminals, drug dealers or known terrorists.
asserted
detainees → compare → which
"It makes absolutely zero sense," Mullin said.
asserted
Mullin → make → sense
Beyond the court system, DHS is also facing battles with elected leaders in blue cities and states.
asserted
DHS → face → cities
I mean, when you start looking at the great state of Virginia, who had a great governor in Governor Youngkin ... and now what they have, they canceled their 287(g) programs, they're not allowing any cooperation with ICE or any of DHS's law enforcement push to make sure we get the criminals off our streets," said Mullin.
asserted
Mullin → mean → streets
Within weeks of taking office, Virginia Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger directed the state’s law-enforcement agencies to terminate their existing 287(g) agreements with ICE, which her administration said placed participating officers under federal supervision to conduct civil immigration enforcement.
asserted
administration → take → enforcement
Mullin claimed that 50% of recent deaths in Fairfax County were "at the hands of an illegal."
asserted
% → claim → illegal
"I've said this multiple times, every death that happens at the hands of an illegal is 100% preventable.
asserted
that → say → illegal
So why the governor of Virginia, why they wouldn't participate with us being DHS and forcing our nation's laws and getting their criminals off the streets make no sense," he said.
asserted
he → participate → sense
Still, Mullin said the Trump administration would not force blue cities to accept federal assistance, arguing that DHS would remain ready to help communities that request it.
asserted
that → say → it
"What we’re not gonna do is force our way in.
asserted
gon → go → way
You’re gonna have to decide that," Mullin said, leaving the decision to individual communities.
asserted
Mullin → go → communities
In Danbury, Connecticut, the City Council amended its police hiring ordinance to allow lawful permanent residents and DACA recipients to apply to become police officers.
asserted
residents → amend → ordinance
"I don't understand how you can be in law enforcement and yet you have no legal status.
asserted
you → understand → status
I just don't know what, in some of these very liberal towns and liberal states, what are they thinking," said Mullin.
asserted
Mullin → know → what
"They're prioritizing criminals over law-abiding citizens.
asserted
They → prioritize → citizens
We are a nation of laws, and either we respect them or we don't," he added.
asserted
he → respect → them
"What separates us from a third world country is we don't believe in lawlessness and when you came in this country illegally, you chose to skip the line because we have a legal process."
asserted
we → separate → process
The Aporia
