U.S. Sen. Peter Welch explained March 25 why he voted against confirming Markwayne Mullin as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, citing concerns over immigration enforcement policies and recent deadly incidents involving federal agents.
In a press release, Welch said the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) “need major reforms,” sharply criticizing the immigration agenda of former President Donald Trump and advisor Stephen Miller.
Welch pointed specifically to federal immigration operations in Minneapolis, where two fatal encounters earlier this year intensified national debate over ICE tactics. In January 2026, Renée Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother, was shot and killed by an ICE agent during an enforcement action. Weeks later, Alex Pretti, a nurse, was also fatally shot by federal agents during a separate incident.
The deaths occurred amid a broader federal immigration crackdown that led to thousands of arrests in the city and widespread protests.
“We can’t have a repeat of what happened in Minneapolis, where ICE terrorized a city and killed two people,” Welch said, referring to the incidents. He added that he could not support a nominee who would “continue to carry out this brutal agenda.”
Despite his opposition, Welch indicated a willingness to work with Mullin moving forward, particularly on strengthening the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which he described as “critically important and still under attack by the president.”
Welch also pledged oversight of DHS under Mullin’s leadership, saying he would work to hold the department accountable, as he has with previous leadership, including former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.