Fiery clash breaks out as Trump DHS chief cornered on 'pattern' of mistruths

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) clashed with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Tuesday during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing over what Van Hollen described as a pattern of mistruths from DHS. Van Hollen challenged Mullin about previous statements former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem made about cases involving Kilmar Abrego-Garcia, an immigrant in Maryland who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador last year, and Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse who was shot and killed by immigration agents during a confrontation with Border Patrol agents amid protests in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this year. Van Hollen claimed there was a pattern of untruths offered by the previous DHS administration. Things got heated when Mullin attempted to refute Van Hollen's claim. I do want to say something to you, Mullin said to Van Hollen as his time for questions expired. We arrest about 1,900 people a day ...Van Hollen interrupted Mullin and asked the committee chair, Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), if she would allow more time for questions so the two could finish their conversation. Mullin continued uninterrupted.I was answering what you said was a pattern! Mullin said. You made an accusation that there was a pattern ...Mr. Secretary, I went on! There was a pattern, Van Hollen shot back. Mullin and Van Hollen then got into a heated back-and-forth about the definition of a pattern.Let's get out the dictionary! Van Hollen said amid the crosstalk.