CHIMNEY ROCK, N.C. — During his inaugural official visit as Homeland Security Secretary, Markwayne Mullin traveled to North Carolina communities still recovering from Hurricane Helene’s 2024 destruction, announcing his commitment to fast-track disaster relief efforts following concerns about federal emergency response under his predecessor Kristi Noem.
Beyond emergency management discussions, Mullin addressed immigration enforcement—a key Trump administration priority under his department’s oversight. He indicated potential plans to suspend customs operations at airports in cities where local governments oppose the administration’s immigration agenda, reflecting his predecessor’s aggressive stance.
During last month’s confirmation proceedings, Mullin attempted to present a more moderate position on immigration enforcement following public criticism of high-profile raids and incidents involving federal officers that resulted in two American deaths. He also indicated plans to reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency after widespread disapproval of Noem’s approach.
During Tuesday’s roundtable meeting, Mullin explained FEMA’s current focus on addressing accumulated disaster response work and eliminating the backlog that developed under previous leadership before the Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1.
“Disasters are happening constantly,” Mullin stated, noting he would update President Donald Trump on Tuesday regarding 22 outstanding major disaster declaration requests from states and tribal nations nationwide. “We’re trying to push this stuff forward as fast as possible.”
Mullin revealed he “may have identified” a potential permanent FEMA administrator candidate, though the agency currently operates under its third temporary leader since Trump assumed office, but refused to reveal their identity.
When questioned about Trump’s previous threats to eliminate FEMA entirely, Mullin responded that “reforming FEMA would be a better term.”
The secretary’s visit occurred days after he reversed Noem’s policy requiring his personal authorization for all DHS spending exceeding $100,000—a requirement that critics argued created bottlenecks in FEMA reimbursements and hindered disaster response efforts.
Though Mullin has begun addressing disaster response improvements, he hasn’t outlined specific immigration enforcement plans, though alignment with presidential priorities seems likely. This became evident in his remarks about potentially removing Customs and Border Protection personnel from airports in designated “sanctuary cities.”
“If they’re not enforcing immigration laws, then why would I be processing immigration in their city?” Mullin questioned, describing the concept as under review and something he might discuss with Trump.
Mullin provided no additional specifics. However, removing CBP officers from airports could significantly impact international travel and commerce, as these officers process all incoming travelers and oversee billions in trade flowing through airports and land crossings.
The Trump administration has previously threatened funding cuts to Democratic municipalities and states deemed uncooperative with immigration enforcement efforts.
North Carolina experienced particularly severe impacts from FEMA’s recent operational challenges, with approximately $1.6 billion in public assistance funds allocated and roughly 2,000 projects remaining in various FEMA approval phases, according to correspondence from North Carolina Governor Josh Stein to Mullin following his confirmation.
North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis harshly criticized Noem for reimbursement delays affecting his state just before her dismissal, declaring during a Senate hearing that she had “failed” regarding FEMA management.
During the roundtable discussion, Mullin shared that Trump specifically requested North Carolina as his first destination and expressed his desire that “North Carolina to love him.”
North Carolina holds particular political importance this year. With Tillis retiring from his Senate seat, Democrats see a potential opportunity. The competitive race between Democrat Roy Cooper, the state’s former governor, and Michael Whatley, former Republican National Committee chairman, will likely attract substantial campaign investment.
Hurricane Helene, spanning 350 miles in width, devastated multiple southeastern states during September 2024.
The storm killed 108 North Carolina residents and caused $60 billion in property damage. It obliterated residences, commercial buildings, and power infrastructure. Isolated communities required helicopter evacuations after flooding destroyed roads and bridges.
Hurricane destruction remains evident today, with vehicles and home debris scattered along riverbanks, damaged bridge remnants, and massive piles of trees and branches swept downstream during the flooding.
Representative Chuck Edwards, a Republican representing affected regions who lost his own business in the storm, expressed Tuesday his frustration with FEMA’s “bureaucracy” and the challenges communities faced securing payments.
“Still plenty of bureaucracy there,” Edwards commented, while praising Mullin’s elimination of the $100,000 approval requirement.
FEMA’s North Carolina operations began tensely as affected residents grew suspicious, partly due to then-candidate Trump’s false claims about the Biden administration and FEMA’s response in the swing state.
Edwards found himself correcting FEMA-related misinformation after the hurricane, releasing a public statement clarifying that FEMA wasn’t redirecting donations to border operations or confiscating property, among other false allegations.
Following an armed individual’s arrest in Lake Lure for threatening FEMA personnel, the agency temporarily halted door-to-door home assessments in affected regions.
Governor Stein, a Democrat, expressed support for Mullin’s visit. “It is encouraging that Secretary Mullin is getting down to business,” he stated to The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Monday brought FEMA approval of $26 million for purchasing damaged and destroyed North Carolina properties, with the agency noting that Mullin urged them to “redouble its efforts” supporting survivors.
Mullin’s statements contrasted sharply with predecessor Noem, who consistently advocated eliminating FEMA “as it exists today.” Trump suggested completely abolishing FEMA during a North Carolina visit early in his second term, calling the agency a “very big disappointment.”
Trump has repeatedly advocated transferring greater disaster responsibility to individual states, and a presidentially-appointed FEMA Review Council will soon release recommendations for comprehensive reforms regarding federal disaster community support.
While most FEMA employees continue receiving pay during the ongoing partial government shutdown, many offices received orders to reduce or halt operations after the February 14 shutdown began.
Additionally, the agency’s Disaster Relief Fund approaches depletion with approximately $3.6 billion remaining. The pending DHS appropriations legislation would restore the fund with over $26 billion.
