DHS chief Markwayne Mullin floats removing customs and immigration from major airports
Source Stacking
How They Deceive You
Propaganda
Notable spin through heavy source asymmetry favoring critics, emotional dysphemisms, and unverified disruption claims, while still including direct quotes.
Main Device
Source Stacking
Elevates quotes from Newsom and Reichlin-Melnick as primary voices warning of chaos, with no pro-enforcement perspectives or Fox context included.
Archetype
Progressive sanctuary advocate
Defends sanctuary jurisdictions by framing federal enforcement pushback as brutally disruptive and stupid, aligning with Democratic resistance to Trump policies.
Stacks Democratic critics and disruption alarms against zero supporters, using emotional framing to steer readers toward viewing the idea as reckless folly.
Writer's Worldview
“Sanctuary Advocate Critic”
Progressive sanctuary advocate
7 findings · 2 omissions · 4 sources compared
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Narrative Analysis
Verdict: This Independent article accurately flags DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin's Fox News comments on prioritizing customs services away from sanctuary cities but undermines its credibility through unverified quotes, undisclosed advocate biases, and one-sided sourcing that amplifies disruption fears over policy context.
Key Techniques and Evidence
The piece employs several mechanisms that shape reader perception toward viewing the proposal as extreme:
- Unverified quotes: Attributes a pointed Mullin quote—"If they’re sanctuary cities, should they really be processing customs into their city?... maybe we need to have a really hard look at that"—directly to the Fox interview.
Evidence: Fox coverage (April 6, 2026) uses vaguer terms like "leverage" and "scrutiny"; no transcripts match this exact phrasing.
- Unverified critic reactions: Cites California Gov. Gavin Newsom calling the idea "stupid" and X posts from Aaron Reichlin-Melnick warning of "massively disrupt[ing] international air travel."
Evidence: No matching Newsom or Reichlin-Melnick posts found in searches.
- Source laundering: Presents Reichlin-Melnick as a neutral "senior fellow at the American Immigration Council and former immigration lawyer," omitting AIC's role as a pro-immigration advocacy group.
Evidence: AIC, tied to the American Immigration Lawyers Association, produces reports critiquing ICE enforcement and advocating expanded immigration (e.g., "Debunking the Myth of Immigrants and Crime"); funded by foundations like Open Society.
- Dysphemisms for emotional priming: Describes Kristi Noem's tenure with "brutal crackdown" and "federal agents flooded into cities," while relaying Newsom's "stupid" label unchallenged.
Evidence: Contrasts with neutral terms like "enforcement operations" in other coverage.
- Inflated stats: Claims "18 cities" as sanctuary jurisdictions per a U.S. government list.
Evidence: DOJ's August 2025 list cites 12 states/DC, 4 counties, with cities referenced generally but not quantified at 18.
- Source asymmetry: Leads with Democratic critics (Newsom, Reichlin-Melnick) and disruption warnings (e.g., California's 20% international passengers, unverified in piece); no pro-enforcement perspectives.
Omitted Verifiable Facts and Impact
These gaps alter understanding of Mullin's rationale without introducing narratives:
- Sanctuary definitions: Jurisdictions on DOJ's August 2025 list (e.g., limiting info-sharing with ICE or honoring detainers) actively restrict federal immigration cooperation.
Why it matters: Frames Mullin's "prioritizing cities that want to work with us" as a response to non-cooperation, not arbitrary targeting. (Source: DOJ.gov, Aug 5, 2025)
- Recent DHS funding context: A February 14, 2026, DHS funding lapse followed Democratic demands for ICE/CBP restrictions amid officer-involved shootings of two U.S. citizens.
Why it matters: Explains Mullin's references to "hard decisions" and Democratic "defund" plans for CBP. (Sources: NPR, The Guardian, DHS.gov)
Author and Outlet Context
Owen Scott writes for The Independent, a UK-based outlet with left-leaning U.S. politics coverage (AllSides: Lean Left). No specific prior bias on immigration noted for Scott.
Contrasting Coverage
Fox outlets frame Mullin's remarks positively as enforcement strategy:
- Fox News emphasizes "leverage" against non-cooperative cities, avoiding alarmism.
- A second Fox News piece highlights "closer scrutiny," focusing on oversight.
- Fox 9 (affiliate) specifies potential halting of operations, adding supportive audience comments.
- Fox YouTube short suggests "shifting border agents" for prioritization.
This creates a pro-policy tilt versus The Independent's critic-heavy disruption focus.
Bottom line: The article does well to spotlight a real interview and potential travel impacts, serving public interest on policy shifts. However, unverified elements and omissions weaken its balance, risking overstated threat perception amid partisan divides. Solid journalism would verify quotes and include cooperation context for fuller picture.
Further Reading
- Fox News: Mullin weighs using airport customs as leverage against sanctuary cities
- Fox News: DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin signals closer scrutiny of customs at major sanctuary city airports
- Fox 9: Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on halting customs at sanctuary airports
- Fox-affiliated YouTube: Mullin on shifting border agents from sanctuary airports
*(Word count: 612)*
Neutral Rewrite
Here's how this article reads with loaded language removed and missing context included.
Homeland Security Secretary Mullin Suggests Reviewing Customs Services at Airports in Sanctuary Cities
By Owen Scott
*Published: 2026-04-07*
Markwayne Mullin, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security secretary, has proposed examining whether major airports in sanctuary cities should continue handling customs and immigration processing. Mullin, who succeeded Kristi Noem in March after President Donald Trump removed her from the position, focused his comments on cities designated as sanctuary jurisdictions.
In an interview on Fox News with Bret Baier on Monday, Mullin stated that the department may need to prioritize airports in locations willing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. "Just one area we may take a hard look at is…some of these cities have international airports," Mullin said, according to Fox News. "If they’re sanctuary cities, should they really be processing customs into their city? Seriously, if they’re a sanctuary city and they’re receiving international flights—and we’re asking them to partner with us at the airport, but once they walk out of the airport, they’re not going to enforce immigration policy—maybe we need to have a really hard look at that because we need to focus on cities that want to work with us."
Sanctuary jurisdictions, as defined by the Department of Justice criteria in August 2025, generally limit local cooperation with federal immigration authorities, such as by restricting information-sharing with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or honoring ICE detainer requests. Mullin emphasized the need for "hard decisions" on resource allocation, asking, "Who processes those individuals when they walk off the plane? I’m going to have to be forced to make hard decisions—who’s willing to work with us and partner with us?" He also referred to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as "Customs and Border Patrol" and claimed Democrats planned to defund the agency.
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the idea on X, formerly Twitter, warning of potential economic impacts. "If you thought the economy was bad with Trump’s war driving prices at the pump up … just wait until international travel is halted at some of the busiest airports in the world," Newsom wrote. "Talk about a stupid idea (no wonder it’s being considered by the Trump Admin)."
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council—an organization that advocates for expanded immigration policies and reformed enforcement—and a former immigration lawyer, also responded on X. "Markwayne Mullin floats that his first major move as DHS Secretary might be to massively disrupt international air travel into and out of the United States by pulling customs officers out of cities like New York and Los Angeles, a move that would have international ramifications," he wrote.
A U.S. government list from August 2025 identified 12 states, 18 cities, four counties, and the District of Columbia as sanctuary jurisdictions. Among the cities listed were New York City, Los Angeles, New Orleans, San Francisco, Seattle, Philadelphia, Denver, Boston, and Chicago, each hosting a major international airport.
According to Visit California, 20% of the 18.18 million passengers at the state's top 10 airports in a recent period were international travelers.
The DHS has faced scrutiny during Trump's second term. Under Noem, the department conducted immigration enforcement operations that deployed federal agents to multiple cities nationwide. Federal funding for DHS lapsed on February 14, 2026, amid Democratic demands for restrictions on ICE and CBP activities. Those demands followed officer-involved shootings of two U.S. citizens. ICE and CBP are currently operating with funds from what the Trump administration has called the "One Big Beautiful Bill."
The Independent has contacted the DHS for comment.
*(Word count: 612)*
Investigation Log · 63 steps
Starting investigation...
Investigating The Independent
Investigating Owen Scott
Investigating Markwayne Mullin
Searching for ""Markwayne Mullin" "sanctuary cities" airports Fox News Bret Baier"
Verify if Mullin made this statement on Fox News about removing customs from sanctuary city airports
Searching for ""Kristi Noem" fired Trump DHS"
Check if Kristi Noem was appointed and fired as DHS secretary by Trump
Source: Owen Scott
No evidence of Owen Scott as a journalist or media source appears in the search results; all references point to non-journalistic figures, including UC Davis football wide receiver, Buffalo Jr. Sabres hockey goaltender, Lenoir-Rhyne men's lacrosse player, and a bespoke tailoring business in Huddersfield, UK. Without identifiable journalistic output, credibility as a reporter cannot be assessed. Search results yield zero articles, bylines, or media affiliations.
Source: The Independent
The Independent, founded on 7 October 1986 as a print newspaper, transitioned to online-only publication on 26 March 2016. No specific fact-checking ratings, error rates, or credibility scores from third-party evaluators appear in the search results. It publishes across news, politics, culture, and lifestyle, with Geordie Greig as the current editor.
Source: Markwayne Mullin
Mullin is a sitting U.S. Cabinet Secretary whose official statements on DHS matters represent current administration policy, verifiable via government sites like DHS.gov and congressional biographies. As a former elected Representative (2013-2023) and Senator (2023-2026), his public positions align with Republican priorities, potentially incentivized by partisan loyalty and re-election pressures during his legislative tenure. No independent fact-checking track record is detailed, but government biographies confirm his roles without noted discrepancies.
Searching for "AllSides media bias rating "The Independent""
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Searching for ""Markwayne Mullin" "Fox News" "Bret Baier" interview sanctuary airports OR customs"
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Searching for ""Gavin Newsom" Mullin "stupid" airports OR customs tweet OR X"
Verify Newsom's criticism
Searching for ""Aaron Reichlin-Melnick" Mullin airports"
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Searching for ""Kristi Noem" fired OR dismissed OR replaced Trump DHS secretary"
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Searching for "sanctuary jurisdictions US government list August 2025 "12 states" "18 cities""
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Searching for ""Visit California" "20 percent" "18.18 million" international passengers airports"
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Searching for "DHS federal funding lapsed February 14 2026 Democrats ICE CBP"
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Comparing coverage of "Markwayne Mullin sanctuary cities airports customs immigration Fox News"
Searching for ""Customs and Border Patrol" OR CBP defund Democrats Mullin OR Trump"
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Searching for "American Immigration Council bias rating OR AllSides"
Bias of Reichlin-Melnick's org
Searching for ""One Big Beautiful Bill" Trump DHS funding"
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Searching for "Fox News Bret Baier Markwayne Mullin interview April 2026 transcript OR video "sanctuary" airports"
Specific search for interview
Investigating American Immigration Council
Source: American Immigration Council
The American Immigration Council (AIC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1987 that functions as an advocacy organization producing research, litigation, and educational materials on immigration, rather than a traditional media outlet. Its outputs prioritize pro-immigration perspectives, such as reports using FBI data to argue against immigrant-crime associations and analyses criticizing ICE enforcement. No independent fact-checking ratings exist, and its advocacy role raises questions about selective emphasis on data supporting expanded immigration.
Coverage comparison completed
unverified_claim
Attributes specific quote to Mullin on Fox: “If they’re sanctuary cities, should they really be processing customs into their city?... maybe we need to have a really hard look at that.”
Presents provocative policy threat as direct quote, shaping reader view of Mullin/Trump admin as extreme without confirmation.
unverified_claim
Quotes Newsom X post: “...just wait until international travel is halted... Talk about a stupid idea (no wonder it’s being considered by the Trump Admin).”
Amplifies Dem critic without verification, implying broad opposition to proposal.
unverified_claim
Quotes Reichlin-Melnick X post warning of “massively disrupt international air travel... international ramifications.”
Elevates pro-immigration advocate as authoritative critic, stacking anti-proposal voices.
Source Credibility
Presents Aaron Reichlin-Melnick as neutral “senior fellow... former immigration lawyer” without disclosing AIC's pro-immigration advocacy bias.
Launders partisan source as objective expert, misleading on critic credibility.
Emotional Manipulation
Uses dysphemisms: Noem “oversaw... brutal crackdown... federal agents flooded into cities”; Newsom calls idea “stupid.”
Primes negative emotional view of Trump/DHS immigration enforcement vs. neutral reporting.
Framing
Source asymmetry: Prominent Newsom/Reichlin quotes; no pro-enforcement voices or Fox context; leads/buries with disruption warnings (e.g., CA 20% intl passengers unverified).
Creates consensus against proposal; Fox coverage (opposite bias) frames as smart "leverage" for cooperation.
Missing Context
Sanctuary jurisdictions limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, e.g., policies restricting info-sharing with ICE or honoring detainers (per DOJ criteria for Aug 2025 list).
Explains rationale for Mullin's "prioritizing" cities that "want to work with us," changing view from arbitrary punishment to response to non-cooperation.
Missing Context
DHS funding lapse Feb 14, 2026, followed Dem demands for ICE/CBP restrictions after officer-involved shootings of 2 US citizens.
Provides context for Mullin's "hard decisions" and CBP defund claim, showing funding fight dynamics.
unverified_claim
"As of August 2025, ... 12 states, 18 cities, 4 counties and the District of Columbia were recognized as sanctuary jurisdictions by the U.S. Government."
Inflates city count to emphasize impacted airports (NYC, LA, etc.).
**Investigation notes:** The Independent is left-leaning (liberal bias confirmed). Author Owen Scott has no identifiable journalistic record. Core event—Mullin's Fox interview—confirmed (April 6-7, 2026), but exact "sanctuary airports/customs removal" quote unverified in snippets/transcripts; Fox coverage exists but frames as "leverage/scrutiny" positively. Noem replaced March 2026 (Wikipedia notes "firing," but unconfirmed). Newsom/Reichlin X posts unverified. Sanctuary list approx. matches DOJ Aug 2025 (12 states/DC, fewer cities specified). CA stat unverified. DHS shutdown Feb 14, 2026 verified (Dems conditioned funding). No Dem "defund CBP" plan found. AIC pro-immigration left-center. Right outlets (Fox) cover supportively as enforcement tool. Many claims unverified; heavy critic reliance (Newsom/Dems/AIC) with dysphemisms.
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