Trump's DHS Secretary Says Claudia Sheinbaum Has 'Impressed Us' in Fight Against Cartels

In a notable shift from months of diplomatic tension between Washington and Mexico City, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin publicly praised Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's cooperation in the fight against organized crime, saying her administration has been "much more cooperative" than its predecessor and has impressed U.S. officials.

Speaking before the House Homeland Security Committee, Mullin recounted his recent trip to Mexico City, where he met with Sheinbaum and members of her security cabinet.

"I just got back from Mexico City speaking with President Sheinbaum and her cabinet about cooperation, and I will tell you they've impressed us. They've been very cooperative, much more cooperative than the previous administration," Mullin told lawmakers on Wednesday. He added that Mexico continues to strongly defend its sovereignty and that the United States must respect that position.

The comments represent one of the strongest public endorsements of Sheinbaum's security strategy by a senior Trump administration official.

A remarkable change in tone

The praise comes after a turbulent period in U.S.-Mexico relations, and just before former Mexican presiden Manuel López Obrador published a statement defending Sheinbaum.

In recent months, tensions escalated over U.S. indictments against several Mexican officials accused of ties to organized crime, the controversial participation of CIA personnel in a drug laboratory operation in Chihuahua and disagreements over extradition requests involving cartel suspects.

Despite those disputes, Sheinbaum and Mullin met in Mexico City in May and agreed to maintain security cooperation based on what both sides described as mutual respect and coordination. Mexican officials stressed that collaboration would continue, but only within constitutional limits that prohibit joint U.S.-Mexican security operations on Mexican soil.

Following the meeting, Sheinbaum wrote on social media that both governments had agreed to continue working together "within the framework of respect between our countries."

Mullin's comments contrast sharply with previous criticism from President Donald Trump and other administration officials. Trump has repeatedly accused Mexican cartels of posing one of the greatest national security threats to the United States and has at times suggested Mexico was not doing enough to confront criminal organizations. Earlier this year, he referred to Mexico as the center of cartel activity in the hemisphere and called for stronger action against drug trafficking networks.

Now, the administration appears to be acknowledging results produced under Sheinbaum.

The Mexican president has made security a central pillar of her administration, highlighting major drug seizures, extraditions, intelligence-sharing operations and arrests of cartel figures. Her government has also pointed to declining homicide figures nationally while expanding operations against fentanyl production and trafficking networks.

The limits of cooperation

Even while praising Sheinbaum, Mullin emphasized that Mexico remains highly protective of its sovereignty.

That issue surfaced during his meeting with the president, when Sheinbaum reportedly reminded him that Mexican law prohibits foreign security forces from conducting operations inside the country. She has repeatedly described the bilateral relationship as one of "coordination, not subordination."

The balancing act reflects a broader reality facing both governments. Washington wants deeper cooperation against cartels, fentanyl trafficking and human smuggling. Mexico wants to preserve national sovereignty while maintaining access to intelligence, training and law-enforcement partnerships. For now, both sides appear eager to highlight areas of progress rather than conflict.