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Floor Speech

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Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, in just a little over a year since taking office, the Trump administration and the Department of Homeland Security have completely broken trust with the American people. In the last year, President Trump has made sweeping cuts to programs and personnel at the Department, undermining key missions from counterterrorism and cyber security protections to assistance following national disasters.

These actions are putting the safety and the security of Americans at risk at a time when many of the threats the Department was created to address--like terrorism and cyber attacks--are on the rise because of the President's war in Iran. These cuts to critical national security missions have all been at the expense of the Trump administration's singular focus on indiscriminate immigration enforcement that has led to serious disruptions in communities all across our country.

It was only 2 months ago when the country watched in horror as two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, were killed by Homeland Security law enforcement officers. We saw with our own eyes how officers have routinely deployed tear gas and pepper spray against Americans who were simply exercising their First Amendment rights.

Secretary Noem's leadership as the Department head has been a disaster, and Americans want to see a course correction, but I am not convinced that one change in leadership is enough to right the ship.

President Trump and advisers like Stephen Miller are continuing to drive so much of the chaos at the Department of Homeland Security.

When the President nominated Senator Mullin to lead the Department, I came into the process with an open mind. However, I do not believe that he is the right person for the job. We need a Secretary who has a clear understanding of the Department's many different missions and a keen awareness of the challenges that the Department faces. We need a Secretary who is a steady leader, who won't rush to judgment without having all the facts, and who won't add fuel to the fire when there is a crisis. At a time when political violence is rising, we need a Secretary who will condemn violence, not encourage it. And we need a Secretary who can be trusted to be transparent and open with information to both Congress and the American people, especially-- especially--when an emergency strikes.

Unfortunately, I have not seen the nominee exhibit these desperately needed characteristics in his confirmation process, and I urge President Trump to reassess his administration's prior record and nominate someone who will help return the Department's focus to all of its critical national security missions. We need someone who will be more than just another rubberstamp. We need someone who will be thoughtful, deliberate, and work to restore the trust in the Department.

Therefore, I will be voting no, and I urge all my colleagues to do the same.

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