WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin was in the hot seat Wednesday morning, answering questions from his fellow Senate colleagues after the President tapped him to be the next Homeland Security Secretary. In a three-hour long hearing, Senator Mullin tries to make the case for why he should be confirmed as the next DHS Secretary.
“I want to protect the homeland,” said Sen. Mullin. “I want to bring peace of mind. I want to bring confidence back to the agency.”
Current Secretary Kristi Noem will be reassigned to a new position within the administration. This confirmation hearing comes at a time when DHS has been criticized for their handling of immigration enforcement and tactics. The Department is also currently shut down over partisan disagreements for ICE reforms.
Republicans for the most part praised Mullin’s nomination, with one exception. The Chairman of the committee, Senator Rand Paul (R- KY) aired his issues with Mullin, which stems from comments Mullin made after Paul was physically attacked by his neighbor.
“So you want the American public and the people up here who may or may not vote for you to know you supported the felonious violent attack on me from behind,” asked Sen. Paul.
“I did not say I supported it, I said I understood it,” responded Sen. Mullin.
Democrats pressed him on a slew of issues with the Department and Mullin’s vision for DHS, including one noticeable policy change:
“We will not enter a home or place of business without a judicial warrant unless we are pursuing an individual who runs into a place of business or a house,” said Sen. Mullin.
The warrants issue has been a top issue with Democrats and Administration.
Democrats also pressed Mullin about the President’s claims of election fraud and a push to nationalize elections.
“If you are Secretary of Homeland Security, do you feel you have the authority to put uniformed officers at polling locations in 2026,” asked Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D- MI).
“The only reason my officers would be there if there was a specific threat for them to be there,” responded Sen. Mullin. “Not for intimidation.”
“If we ever get to the point where you are asked to put armed ICE officers at polling locations, we have lost the plot of this country,” responded Sen. Slotkin.
Republicans remain confident Mullin will secure enough votes to be confirmed as DHS Secretary.
