President Trump’s Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, who replaced Kristi Noem in March, is being criticized for his salute at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy for its graduation ceremony on Wednesday, where President Trump was the featured speaker.
When DHS spokesperson Margo Martin shared the video below of Mullin saluting while walking down an aisle between the graduates, X users on both sides of the political aisle voiced disapproval.
America First supporter “Right2Liberty” responded: “I like Sec. Mullin but he has never been in the military, he is not the President or Vice President and he should not be saluting. His staff should educate him on this matter of etiquette.”
Under military custom only commissioned officers in uniform (and the POTUS as Commander-in-Chief) render a hand salute in response to a salute. Civilian officials, including Cabinet secretaries like the DHS Secretary, do not. https://t.co/TxgltR2rt2
— alex (@ajhoward121) May 20, 2026
Former DHS spokesman Alex Howard also replied: “Under military custom only commissioned officers in uniform (and the POTUS as Commander-in-Chief) render a hand salute in response to a salute. Civilian officials, including Cabinet secretaries like the DHS Secretary, do not.”
[NOTE: Many supporters defending Mullin replied with a photo of Howard’s former boss, former DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, saluting at the same event years prior.]
Wasn’t this your boss at DHS, Alex? pic.twitter.com/D48OFEAOsk
— Will, politically homeless once again (@spudhawg) May 21, 2026
At that time, John Marshall a.k.a. The Drill Master, wrote: “I do not mean to be disrespectful, but former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas returning a salute rendered by a cordon of Coast Guard Academy cadets is 100% wrong. You overstepped your bounds, Mr. Secretary.”
Marshall added: “A note to the Coast Guard Academy: This line of cadets is so overly done that it begins to look ridiculous. This is not an appropriate cordon. Cabinet-level secretaries receive a 19-gun salute and that means a 19-man cordon. That’s it. See AR 600-25, Salutes, Honors, and Courtesy, Table 3-1. The Army established the standard and every service follows that standard.”
Mullin’s experience and understanding of military culture have made news before. Prior to becoming DHS Secretary, Mullin was criticized for making comments that some interpreted as suggesting he served in the military, as when — then a U.S. Senator — he appeared on Fox News to defend Trump’s decision to attack Iran, and said: “War is ugly. It smells bad. If anybody has ever been there and been able to smell the war that’s happening around you and taste it and fill it in your nostrils and hear it, it’s something that you’ll never forget.”
Mullin: War is ugly. It smells bad. If anybody has ever been there and been able to smell the war and taste it and fill it in your nostrils and hear it, it’s something that you’ll never forget. Fortunately, we have President Hegseth. President Hegseth has been there. pic.twitter.com/9bWtlXOjqy
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 2, 2026
U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY), a retired Captain in the U.S. Army who served in the Iraq War, replied to Mullin: “Hey @SenMullin, what the actual [expletive] are you talking about? Did I miss the part of your bio where you served in combat (or served in uniform at all??). Call of Duty doesn’t count.”