Republican senators forecast a swift confirmation for Sen. Markwayne Mullin as homeland security secretary, despite some friction with the chairman of the committee charged with reviewing his nomination.
Republicans and at least one Democrat threw their support behind Mullin (R-Okla.) Thursday after President Donald Trump tapped him to replace Secretary Kristi Noem, whose management and spending drew increasing criticism in recent weeks.
Still, he faces an awkward and potentially tense confirmation hearing before the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee after reportedly deriding its chairman as a snake just weeks ago.
Mullin complained during a February event in Tulsa that HSGAC Chairman Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is a “freaking snake,” according to reporting by Oklahoma independent journalist David Arnett.
“And I understand completely why his neighbor did what he did. And I told him that to his face,” Mullin said, according to Arnett, in a reference to a 2017 violent altercation Paul had with a neighbor that left the senator with broken ribs.
Mullin was airing frustrations about Paul’s efforts to hold up farm bill legislation while he pushed for provisions favoring Kentucky businesses. Paul frequently draws the ire of colleagues by holding up Senate business that otherwise has full GOP support while he pushes for amendments involving deficit reduction, First Amendment rights, and other interests.
Paul’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on Mullin’s impending nomination.
Mullin told reporters Thursday he’d try to “earn everybody’s vote.”
“I’m going to be very open and honest with them, and at the end of the day, all I can do is do my job,” Mullin said. “I’m not going get in a tit-for-tat, but if they have real concerns, I’m going to listen to it,” he added.
Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), another member of the homeland panel, credited Mullin with developing strong relationships throughout the Senate. Mullin joined the chamber in 2023 and previously served in the House.
“I’m not saying everybody’s going to vote for him, but I think he’ll be treated fairly and I think everybody knows — both sides of the aisle — he listens to people,” Lankford said.
He’s already notched the support of at least one Democrat. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) said he planned to support Mullin and said he’s someone he can work with. Fetterman said he hoped other Democrats would vote to confirm him, calling it a “shame” if he’s the only one.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he was a “resounding” no on Mullin’s nomination.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) pushed for a fast confirmation, noting the importance of the homeland role and senators’ familiarity with their colleague.
“He’s obviously pretty well vetted around here, so hopefully we can get the process going, because I think that’s a position that’s going to need to be filled quickly,” Thune said.
The vacancy in the top spot at the Department of Homeland Security comes as the agency is partially hobbled by a funding lapse that has furloughed thousands of employees while immigration enforcement and other critical missions continue.
DHS officials didn’t immediately respond to questions about acting leadership after Noem’s departure.
Mullin, who’s been a vocal defender of the Trump administration’s hardline immigration agenda, doesn’t have significant experience on DHS issues and hasn’t led any major legislation on immigration or homeland security.
To contact the reporters on this story:
To contact the editors responsible for this story: