Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., overcame his first major obstacle to become the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, with a final vote on his nomination slated for sometime next week.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security narrowly advanced Mullin’s nomination in an 8-7 vote, with only one Republican voting against: committee chairman Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who has personal objections to his candidacy. Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted in favor of Mullin’s nomination, pushing him over the finish line.
“I truly approached the confirmation of my colleague and friend, Senator Mullin, with an open-mind,” Fetterman said in a statement. “We need a leader at DHS. We must reopen DHS. My AYE is rooted in a strong committed, constructive working relationship with Sen. Mullin for our nation’s security.”
Mullin will still face a full confirmation vote before the Senate, which will require only a simple majority to be approved — a likely outcome, as most Republicans have come out in support of his nomination. That vote is expected sometime next week.
Mullin’s nomination comes at a rocky time for the department, which has been shut down for over a month due to Democratic protests over how federal immigration officers operate — particularly after two fatal shootings in Minneapolis earlier this year. His consideration also comes after current DHS Secretary Kristi Noem was abruptly removed from the department’s top position, and Mullin was tapped as her replacement in the same surprise announcement.
If approved quickly, Mullin could be instated by the end of this month in line with President Donald Trump’s initial timeline.
Despite Mullin’s confirmation likely having a path forward, the Oklahoma Republican will need to work with some skeptics in Congress — including Paul, the top Republican who will directly work with the secretary on homeland security issues.
Paul questioned whether Mullin is fit for the position, pointing to past comments in which Mullin called the Kentucky Republican a “freaking snake” for his opposition to a funding bill in February. Mullin has also previously said he understood why a neighbor attacked Paul in 2017 — an attack that left him with broken ribs and other injuries.
Mullin responded by saying he is “very blunt and direct to the point,” acknowledging that he and Paul just simply “don’t get along.” But, Mullin pushed back against characterizations that he is a liar because he criticizes people to their faces.
“The truth is, I have a job, and I don’t like to fail at all,” Mullin said. “So I can set it aside if you’re willing to set it aside. Let me earn your respect.”
Paul criticized Mullin for what he considered to be a refusal to apologize, questioning why the Senate should approve “a man with anger issues.”
“Do you think that justifying that kind of violence sets a good example for the men and women of ICE and Border Patrol?” Paul said.
There were also outstanding questions about foreign travel Mullin took while he was a member of the House in 2015, details of which the now-senator said were “classified” and he could not share. But after meeting with senators on the committee, it didn’t seem to be a detriment to his nomination.