Key facts
- Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said ICE would only be deployed to polling stations during the midterms if a threat arises.
- Mullin stated that ICE agents have special response teams trained for emergencies.
- He clarified that ICE presence would not be for voter identification.
- Mullin added that ICE would only deploy in coordination with local law enforcement.
- Steve Bannon had previously called for ICE officers to surround the polls during the midterm elections.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated on Sunday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would "only" be deployed to polling stations during the midterm elections if a "threat" arises. Responding to a question from CNN's Kasie Hunt, Mullin clarified that the agency's presence would not be for voter identification purposes. He explained that ICE agents are trained with special response teams and could be deployed in emergency situations, such as responding to a bomb threat, but only in coordination with local law enforcement. Mullin emphasized that ICE would not show up on their own. The Department of Homeland Security has faced scrutiny over President Trump's immigration policies. Earlier this year, former White House strategist Steve Bannon suggested on his podcast that ICE officers should "surround the polls" during the upcoming midterm elections, stating, "We're not going to sit here and allow you to steal the country again."