As Democrats anticipate greater control in Congress following the November elections, their sights are set firmly on Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. Mullin, a former congressman, assumed the role to foster smoother relations with Congress, a task at which his predecessor, Kristi Noem, struggled. However, his tenure has not been without controversy, particularly concerning the Trump administration's stringent immigration policies.

Democratic aides have revealed plans to delve into various DHS issues under Mullin’s leadership, including the lack of body cameras on immigration agents, poor conditions at immigration facilities, and a perceived lack of cooperation with the department’s Inspector General. “He owns that,” said one House Democratic aide, speaking on condition of anonymity about the legislative strategy forming for post-November.

Mullin is also set to be challenged on specific incidents, such as the October 12 ICE raid on the residence of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), signaling a push from Democrats to bring these matters back into public discourse. This strategy aims to counter Mullin’s efforts to draw attention away from unpopular immigration enforcement actions, a move that has seen waning support from the public following several high-profile controversies.

Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), expected to chair the House Homeland Security Committee, expressed a strong commitment to investigating what he described as the administration’s misuse of DHS against Americans, its harsh immigration tactics, and corruption. “The American people expect nothing less, and we will deliver,” Thompson asserted.

The focus isn’t solely on Mullin; Democrats are also preparing to examine DHS’s spending, which has surged following a series of reconciliation bills. This includes scrutinizing controversial expenditures such as jet purchases for Noem and other acquisitions potentially benefiting administration allies.

Moreover, the oversight will extend beyond Mullin to include testimonies from a variety of current and former officials. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), a prominent figure on the House Oversight Committee, emphasized that investigating DHS abuses will be a priority, alongside probing other issues like corporate corruption and the Trump family’s business dealings.

While the exact scope of these investigations will depend on the election outcomes, even a Democratic majority in the House would enable more robust inquiry capabilities, including issuing subpoenas. This could potentially lead to a broader impeachment discussion, although this remains a contentious and unlikely path due to political divisions.

In response, DHS has stated that it will not be swayed by what it calls political attacks and maintains that congressional oversight should not impede its mission. Meanwhile, the White House has dismissed the Democrats' efforts as a continuation of a "decade-long witch hunt" against President Trump and his policies.

As the midterm elections approach, the Democratic campaign is clearly focused on accountability, promising thorough investigations into the DHS and the broader Trump administration’s immigration policies. This concerted effort reflects a significant aspect of their legislative agenda, emphasizing oversight as a critical function of a potentially divided government.