The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is expected to face increased oversight when Democrats take control of both houses of Congress in January.
The investigations are expected to cast a wide net, examining everything from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies and the agency's spending under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to job cuts at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the overhaul of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
In a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), who is expected to become chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, demanded that DHS comply with records preservation requests and provide the committee with documents and information sought over the past two years by December 2, 2026.
“In the 120th Congress, the Committee intends to address the Trump administration’s assault on the rule of law and hold those responsible accountable,” stated the letter.
Senate Oversight Plans
Over in the Senate, Democrats are also preparing for oversight once they take control in the 120th Congress.
“As part of my new role on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, we will investigate and expose the corruption that is hurting taxpayers and Americans,” said Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH), who is expected to become Chair of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee following the retirement of current ranking Democrat Gary Peters (D-MI).
“Zero Change” in Immigration Policies
Meanwhile, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said there will be “zero change” on immigration policies after the midterm elections.
He said the agency has been deporting approximately 3,600 individuals a day and does not plan on slowing those numbers.
“We've reprioritized what we're doing by going after the worst of the worst, by getting the murderers and the rapists and child predators and drug bankers and cartel members," said Secretary Mullin to Fox News.
Nevertheless, the secretary said that a lot of Democrats have contacted him about working on immigration legislation.
"I've let the president know that those calls are coming in, and the president has said, 'Let's start working with them and then let's meet at some point,'" said Secretary Mullin on the sidelines of a counter-drone conference in Maryland.
