Washington — President Donald Trump reversed a decision by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to suspend most vehicle stops conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, underscoring ongoing tensions within the administration over immigration enforcement tactics.

Mullin, together with acting ICE Director Dave Venturella, announced the halt on vehicle stops Monday evening following two fatal shootings of immigrants within a week, incidents that sparked public outrage, including criticism from a prominent Republican senator. The move was intended to reduce confrontational enforcement practices that had drawn significant media and public scrutiny.

However, President Trump was not briefed in advance. He learned of the suspension through media reports and backlash from allies on social media, including Mike Davis, a Trump supporter who publicly criticized Mullin’s decision. Trump ultimately viewed the suspension as a sign that his administration was retreating on immigration enforcement, a perception he deemed politically damaging ahead of upcoming debates on the issue.

On Wednesday morning, Trump posted on Truth Social that ICE’s vehicle stops are among its “most important and effective crime fighting tools” and emphasized the need for strength and intelligence in immigration enforcement. Later that day, Mullin acknowledged the president’s stance on Twitter, stating, “President Trump and I are on the same page.” A Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman deferred further comment to Mullin’s statement.

The episode highlights internal divisions within the White House. Trump’s Border Czar, Tom Homan, reportedly opposed the suspension, arguing that it would effectively halt ICE arrests. The push to meet a daily arrest target of 2,000 had accompanied the administration’s aggressive stance, but also contributed to the fatal shootings that prompted calls to rein in enforcement measures.

Venturella had proposed the suspension with the intention of shifting tactics toward more targeted arrests, focusing on individuals recently released from state and local custody rather than conducting broad roving patrols through city streets. This represented a departure from prior strategies that often brought ICE operations into public view and controversy.

The swift reversal underscores the ongoing debate among Trump’s top advisers over how forcefully to enforce immigration laws, balancing public safety concerns with political and public relations considerations.