Markwayne Mullin received 54 of 100 votes in the Senate, confirming him as the novel U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.
“The president and I are good friends,” stated the former mixed martial arts fighter Markwayne Mullin from Oklahoma, just after being installed as the new head of a ministry in deep crisis.
The Senate approved the nomination with 54 to 45 votes, mainly along party lines. All Republicans voted for Mullin – with the exception of Rand Paul of Kentucky. Two Democrats also supported him.
Mullin takes over from Kristi Noem, who was removed earlier this month after a series of controversies.
Who is Mullin?
Mullin became a senator in 2023 after ten years in the House of Representatives. He grew up on a ranch in Oklahoma and took over the family’s plumbing business when his father fell ill. He is also among the few senators with a background from the Cherokee Nation, according to his website.
He is particularly known for a heated exchange during a Senate hearing in the same year, where he challenged union leader Sean O’Brien to a fight after being called a “greedy top executive.”
His Politics
Mullin has supported a hard line on immigration policy, including increased deportations and border security measures.
Following a shooting incident, he referred to immigration agents as “patriots” and has defended previous actions.
He has stated his willingness to engage in dialogue with Democrats but indicated he will primarily follow existing policies.
Department in Crisis
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been operating without full funding for over a month, leading to disruptions.
At airports, queues have grown as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees face challenges due to delayed wages.
To address staffing shortages, ICE agents have been deployed to major airports.
Mullin, with his business background and experience in the House of Representatives, lacks extensive experience in immigration policy and managing DHS.
During his Senate hearing, he pledged to improve the ministry’s reputation.
“My goal is that in six months we will no longer be headline news every day,” Mullin said, according to Politico.
He also announced plans to eliminate a rule requiring the Secretary to personally approve all FEMA contracts over $100,000.
Tough Opposition from the Democrats
Democrats have expressed doubts about Mullin’s commitment to changing course on immigration policy.
Senator Dick Durbin voted against the nomination and warned that Mullin will not address abuses of power within ICE.
“I will not vote in another yes man for Trump’s worst whim,” said Durbin.
Worth a look