Trump selects Oklahoma senator for DHS role
US President Donald Trump has announced Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin will be the new Homeland Security secretary, replacing the agency’s embattled head Kristi Noem.
The first-term senator, a former mixed martial arts fighter, has been a supporter of Trump and his policies since coming to Washington. The Senate would need to confirm Mullin to the post.
Known for his fiery personality, Mullin would become the second Homeland Security chief in Trump’s second administration if confirmed.
Strong support for immigration enforcement
Mullin has previously expressed support for the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration enforcement efforts.
The Homeland Security appointment of Mullin comes as immigration policy remains a central focus of the Trump administration.
The senator has been complimentary of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) efforts to detain undocumented immigrants- a key feature of the administration’s policies and a major focus for Noem before she was removed from the role.
“Yes, I’m a Republican, yes I’m conservative,” Mullin said on the steps of the Capitol after being surrounded by reporters asking about news of his appointment, noting he would work to enforce the policies passed by Congress even for people who do not agree with him.
“Once I make that transition, my focus is to keep the homeland secure, that’s going to be my focus, and we’re super excited about this opportunity.”
Criticism during government shutdown
Mullin is among the Republicans who have been critical of the ongoing partial US government shutdown, which has allowed funding to lapse from the Department of Homeland Security.
“What is actually happening right now with the Democrat Party by this political theatre, by shutting down DHS for something that you even admitted yourself can’t be done,” Mullin told CNN last month. “They’re not stopping Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from doing their job.”
If confirmed, the Mullin Homeland Security role would place him in charge of an agency that has faced growing scrutiny in recent months.
Criticism has intensified following the deaths of two US citizens who were killed by federal immigration officials in Minnesota.
Controversies and fiery Senate moments
Mullin has previously defended Homeland Security policy and the administration’s immigration crackdown.
“Obstructing federal law enforcement is a felony. Most Americans follow ICE instructions without thinking twice,” Mullin posted on social media following the death of Alex Pretti, who was shot dead by immigration agents in Minneapolis.
He added that “these patriots are doing a difficult job” and facing death threats.
One of Mullin’s most talked about moments in the Senate came early in his tenure when he challenged a union leader to a fight during a hearing.
The incident occurred while the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions was hearing testimony from Sean O’Brien, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, one of the country’s largest unions, in November 2023.
When questioning O’Brien, Mullin referenced a social media post in which the union leader called the senator a “greedy CEO who pretends like he’s self made” and said he should “quit the tough guy act in these Senate hearings”.
“You want to run your mouth, we can be two consenting adults, we can finish it here,” Mullin said before standing up and appearing to remove his wedding ring.
Mullin was then scolded by another member of the committee who told him to sit down.
Business background and political rise
The two men had previously clashed on social media.
Mullin told the union leader to “shut your mouth” during a tense hearing exchange in early 2023.
Months later, O’Brien posted a photo of Mullin and wrote: “You know where to find me. Anyplace, Anytime cowboy.”
Mullin replied: “MMA fight for charity of our choice. Sept 30 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I’ll give you 3 days to accept.”
The social media exchanges and committee clashes reflect Mullin’s outspoken political style.
Mullin was sworn in as a US senator in 2023.
Over the past two decades, Mullin- a father of six- worked alongside his wife to expand the family plumbing business, according to his website.
Source: BBC
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