NEWARK — Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin criticized Democratic officials for staging a protest at a Newark ICE detention facility on Memorial Day, calling it an "all for show" political stunt. He accused participants of prioritizing publicity over honoring the holiday’s solemn meaning.

Speaking during a television interview, Mullin said, "It just shows where these extreme radical Democrats’ priorities are when they choose Memorial Day, of all the days, to go out and protest the fact that we took criminals off the streets." He added, "Their priorities lie more with protecting these criminals, which are the worst of the worst, than it is actually, I would say, celebrating the sacrifice that men and women across this nation have paid for the freedoms that they have to go out there and practice their First Amendment rights."

He said other Democratic officials, including New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill, amplified the confrontation outside the facility, turning it into a political spectacle. He claimed local law enforcement failed to respond as protesters allegedly blocked roads and attempted to push through security barriers. "And at the same time, they’re trying to tell me they were trying to de-escalate the situation when you had Antifa flags flying out there," he said. He repeated that the event was orchestrated for attention, stating, "It’s like it was all for show."

Mullin said he personally spoke with U.S. Senator Andy Kim after Kim relayed claims that detainees inside the facility had launched hunger strikes—allegations Mullin said were false. According to Mullin, DHS allowed Kim access to the Newark ICE detention facility but imposed limits on the visit. "We said, ‘You can’t go in there with your staff and film and cause a big show,’” he said.

Kim offered a different account of the incident. He described being affected by pepper spray during the protest and later called ICE actions "dangerous" following the confrontation at the detention facility.