DHS chief’s early missteps and an AI-generated version of ‘The Odyssey’: Morning Rundown - NBC News

What the report says

NBC News reported in its July 23 Morning Rundown that friction appears to be increasing between the White House and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, citing a senior Trump administration official and a senior Department of Homeland Security official. The reported strains involve early decisions by Mullin, a former Oklahoma senator who has been in the job for four months, as DHS plays a central role in President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda and efforts to restart mass deportations.

According to NBC, one point of concern was Mullin’s temporary order last week pausing ICE vehicle stops after fatal shootings involving ICE officers in Houston and Maine. Trump reversed that directive the next day, and one administration official described the move as a serious mistake. NBC also reported unease over Mullin’s selection of ally Lance Schroyer to lead ICE, with officials noting Schroyer lacks direct federal law enforcement or immigration enforcement experience.

The newsletter also highlighted Secret Service warnings about a sharp rise in threats against protected people. Officials told NBC the agency has opened more than 10,000 investigations this year, up 40% from the same period last year, while preparing for the rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Separately, NBC noted a U.S.-Saudi nuclear cooperation agreement that arms control critics say could weaken longstanding nonproliferation policy, and reported that Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall in Louisiana before moving toward Texas.

In entertainment coverage, NBC described how premium movie formats are becoming a larger part of Hollywood’s release strategy, driven by demand for major titles such as Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey.” The newsletter also referenced online backlash to that film and interest among some critics, including Elon Musk, in AI-generated alternatives.