Political speech, timestamped and in context

Markwayne Mullin: “Tens of thousands of [CDLs] were issued [by states like California and New York] to individuals not qualified…”

Featuring: Markwayne Mullin, Republican | U.S. Senate, Oklahoma

JUST IN: DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin Holds Press Briefing On 'Operation Guardian'

Published November 2, 2026

I don't know why this is something that we have to continue to do. It should be really simple for these states to be able to … Tens of thousands of [CDLs] were issued [by states like California and New York] to individuals not qualified to drive. … of people around you or putting the lives at risk of the people around you. And it's frustrating because we see this all the time. (00:55)

STATEMENT

Asserts that tens of thousands of CDLs were issued to unqualified individuals.

This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.

See the main statements from Markwayne Mullin in this video

“They [the Biden administration] released 450,000 unoccupied children into the hands of unvetted sponsors.”
Asserts that the Biden administration released 450,000 unaccompanied children to unvetted sponsors.00:54-18:37
“Democrat policies have released over 20 million individuals illegally into this country.”
Asserts that Democrat policies led to over 20 million illegal entries.04:22-04:36
“We've already located 2,168 known terrorists [among the 20 million individuals released into the country].”
Asserts that 2,168 known terrorists were found among the released individuals.04:40-04:51
“Some sponsors are receiving 20 to 40 kids.”
Claims that some sponsors received between 20 to 40 children.18:38-18:41
“New York, we have over 16,000 detainers. That means these detainers means these are individuals that are currently locked up or have already been released by the state of New York or by the city.”
Asserts that there are over 16,000 detainers in New York for individuals who are or have been incarcerated.34:26-34:39
“Those 16,000 [detainers] represents 52,000 felony charges. Out of those 52,000 charges, 131 of them are murders, 132 of them are rapists.”
Asserts that the 16,000 detainers in New York correspond to 52,000 felony charges, including 131 murders and 132 rapes.34:43-34:55
“This smelting plant will be responsible for increasing our smelting by 50% in our country.”
Asserts that a new smelting plant will increase U.S. smelting capacity by 50%.38:22-38:29
“Operation Guardian was a 72 hour, 15 state operation targeting illegal aliens with unauthorized CDLs and public safety threats in the trucking industry.”
Asserts that Operation Guardian targeted illegal aliens with unauthorized CDLs and public safety threats.00:17-00:27
“States like California and New York issue CDLs to individuals that are not qualified to drive.”
Asserts that California and New York issue CDLs to unqualified individuals.00:27-00:42
“A CDL driver was issued a driver's license from California and he came in across the Mexico border from India.”
Asserts that a CDL driver from India crossed the Mexico border and received a license from California.00:57-01:15
“Democrat policies of open border, wanting to defund the Department of Homeland Security, wanted to get rid of ICE, wanted to have CBP defunded.”
Asserts that Democrat policies include open borders and defunding DHS, ICE, and CBP.04:54-05:07
“Most of [the 2,168 terrorists] were released under a different name, no biometrics, and paroled into the country.”
Asserts that most of the 2,168 terrorists were released under false identities without biometrics.05:20-05:20
“We're going to protect our highways the same. Regardless it's a blue state or it's a red state.”
Asserts that highway protection efforts are consistent across states, irrespective of political affiliation.07:03-07:10
“We do that underneath the leadership of President Trump because of the directive he's given us, the tools and the backing.”
Asserts that highway protection efforts are supported by directives and resources from President Trump.07:15-07:23
“We have now located 160,000 plus [children] in a very short time.”
Asserts that over 160,000 children have been located in a short time.19:14-19:19
“Except in some of our blue states that absolutely refuse to work with us.”
Claims that some Democratic-led states refuse to cooperate with efforts to locate children.19:31-19:38
“In a year, we've taken 710 right here in Oklahoma, 710 illegal CDL drivers off the road through their operations.”
Asserts that 710 illegal CDL drivers have been removed from Oklahoma roads in a year.24:43-24:53
“A year ago today on this operation, we inspected 1,005 trucks, and we got 40 illegals that were having illegal driver's license, illegal CDLs off the road.”
Asserts that during an operation a year ago, 1,005 trucks were inspected, and 40 individuals with illegal CDLs were removed from the road.24:43-24:53
“In a very short period of time, they took 90 drivers off the road.”
Asserts that 90 drivers were removed from the road in a short period during an operation.25:16-25:20
“New York and California were the worst at giving these illegals these driver's license.”
Asserts that New York and California are the worst states for issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.27:40-27:47
“LPR's legal permanent residents, those on work visas here, they can get CDLs, but they have to pass.”
Asserts that legal permanent residents and those on work visas can obtain Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) if they meet certain requirements.28:08-28:16
“Congress made the laws, we enforce them.”
Asserts that Congress is responsible for making immigration laws, which are enforced by relevant authorities.31:34-31:38
“Right now, we enforce our laws that are on the books, and we don't pick and choose what else.”
Asserts that current laws are enforced as they are written, without selective enforcement.32:02-32:08
“Seven of the top safest cities in the country partner with Department of Homeland Security.”
Asserts that seven of the safest cities in the U.S. partner with DHS.35:12-35:19
“The reason why immigration policy really hasn't been totally reformed since 1959 is because it's hard to do.”
Asserts that U.S. immigration policy has not been fully reformed since 1959 due to its complexity.37:05-37:11
“It's a huge national security benefit that we have [the smelting plant].”
Asserts that the smelting plant provides a significant national security benefit.38:19-38:23