Mullin testimony doesn't "close the gap" on DHS shutdown

• Mullin's testimony didn't alter that dynamic.
• "I don't think his nomination increases the likelihood of a compromise, because he stood pretty firm against the kinds of reforms that Americans are demanding," Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), told Axios.
• That's despite Mullin drifting toward the Democrats' direction, signaling openness to requiring judicial warrants for federal immigration agents to enter private homes or businesses.

Still, Democrats told Axios they were unmoved, insisting those concessions must come through legislation — not agency discretion.

• "They refuse to do that, and you will understand if that raises our antenna," Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), a member of Senate Democratic leadership, told reporters Wednesday.
• "It's a good thing if he's recognizing legal reality, but that's not going to close the gap," said Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.).

Zoom out: Democrats continue to argue the problem is bigger than Mullin — or any personnel change at DHS.

• They want reforms that cannot be undone by President Trump, deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller or future Cabinet officials.
• "We're asking to do all of the things that Mullin is saying he's willing to do, except in a way that doesn't depend on the whims of the president or Stephen Miller or Markwayne Mullin," Schatz said.
• Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), an Appropriations Committee member, said he has "no confidence" that Mullin would change administration policy.

The bottom line: Mullin signaled openness to policy shifts at DHS, but his hearing was defined by a chair's implacable opposition — and Democrats' refusal to fund ICE without legislative guarantees.