A congressional hearing on Thursday erupted into repeated confrontations as Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin engaged in a fiery exchange over the treatment of migrant children, forcing the committee chairman to repeatedly intervene in an effort to restore order.
The hearing became contentious on multiple occasions as Mullin sparred with Democratic lawmakers, prompting Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairman Mark Amodei (R-NV) to warn participants that the proceedings were drifting away from their intended purpose.
“This is not Meet the Press or Fox News or whatever for anybody involved, it’s what’s the question, what’s the answer,” Amodei said, cautioning members and witnesses alike to keep the hearing focused.
The most heated moment came during questioning from DeLauro, who objected after Mullin interrupted her remarks regarding migrant children.
“Let me just say this to you, sir. Again, it is my time. 3,900 children were separated from their families,” DeLauro said, appearing to reference a 2021 report from former President Joe Biden’s administration concerning migrant children separated from their families during President Donald Trump’s first administration.
Mullin quickly interrupted with a counterclaim.
“450,000 kids were lost during the Biden administration, you didn’t say a word about it,” he responded.
The secretary appeared to be referring to claims made by his predecessor and others in the administration regarding migrant children who were not directly monitored by the Department of Homeland Security because they either failed to respond to communications or were never assigned an official appearance date.
The interruption immediately escalated tensions.
“Don’t interrupt me!” DeLauro said while pointing her finger at Mullin.
“Don’t you point your finger at me. Don’t be a hypocrite,” Mullin fired back.
“I will point my finger at you,” DeLauro replied.
Mullin continued pressing his point.
“Don’t you be a hypocrite then. You should be as upset about the 450,000 kids that were lost. You didn’t say a word about it! For four years you never said a word!”
As both continued speaking over one another, Chairman Amodei stepped in once again.
“Mr. Secretary,” he began, attempting to regain control.
At the same time, DeLauro appealed directly to the chairman.
“Could you put him in his place?!” she asked.
“Don’t yell at me. I’m the good guy,” Amodei replied before reminding participants that members were entitled to their allotted speaking time.
Mullin answered DeLauro directly, saying, “You should be put in your place.”
Amodei then reiterated that if the secretary wanted additional time to respond, he would provide four minutes for a closing statement after members had completed their questions.
Mullin defended his interruptions, saying he would not allow lawmakers to make statements he believed were inaccurate simply for “sound bites.”
DeLauro challenged that explanation, asking, “What did you do just recently for sound bites?! I sympathize with the 400,000 [children].”
Amodei again called for order, stressing that members should be allowed to use their time without interruptions and that there were proper opportunities for responses.
Mullin maintained that he would not allow what he viewed as false accusations to go unanswered.
“You know, this is the legislative branch and it’s my hearing and so I’m going to try to some extent to control it moderately,” Amodei said as he continued working to restore order.
DeLauro then rejected Mullin’s accusation that she was lying.
“And do not accuse me of lying,” she said.
“Then don’t,” Mullin replied.
DeLauro concluded by saying she has long been concerned about the welfare of migrant children, adding that she visited the border years ago and witnessed children being held in fenced-in areas. She said she has “a long history” of focusing on issues involving children and emphasized that she cares deeply about what happens to them.
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