Trump’s DHS pick Markwayne Mullin faces off against Rand Paul in a Senate hearing
WASHINGTON — Sena. Markwayne Mullin, President Donald Trump’s nominee to pay for the Department of Defense, faced off with other members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday in a confirmation hearing.
And it didn’t start well for the Oklahoma Republican, who was nominated to take over DHS at a crucial time. The US is locked in a war with Iran and the Trump administration is facing a backlash on its immigration enforcement strategy. DHS funding ended on February 13, leading to significant delays at the airports, and the two sides have yet to reach an agreement.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, used his opening statement to confront Mullin by calling him a “scary snake” and saying he “absolutely” understands why the neighbor harassed Paul in 2017.
“Tell me exactly why you think I deserved it,” Paul told Mullin, as he outlined Mullin’s attempt to challenge the union leader to a fight during a 2023 committee hearing. “And while you’re at it, explain to the American public why they should trust a man with anger issues to set the right example for ICE and border patrol agents.”
“I’m just wondering if a person who applauds violence against political opponents is the right person to lead an organization that has a problem accepting the limits of using power properly,” said Paul.
Mullin sat quietly and watched as the ranking member, Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., then took the microphone to give his opening statement.
“While I’m interested in hearing more about your vision for leading the department, I have doubts about your readiness to take on such an important role at such a critical time,” Peters said, while calling on Mullin to provide a clear assessment of how the Trump administration is doing.
Mullin was nominated to take over from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who Trump fired earlier this month after a difficult performance. The president nominated Mullin to replace him on March 31, though he still needs to be confirmed by the Senate first.
Republicans control 53 seats in the chamber, and Mullin needs 50 senators to secure confirmation. The early expectation is that he will get enough votes in the end, since the Republican senators were not in favor of Trump’s election.
But the initial debate suggests it may not be easy for him to win unanimous support from Republicans, who hold an 8-7 majority on the committee.
“I have to address the comments the chairman made and called me a liar. Sir, I think everybody in this room knows I’m blunt and straight to the point. And if I’m going to say something, I’m going to say it right to your face,” Mullin said.
The senator did not deny saying these words or apologize to Paul.
“It looks like you’re fighting the Republicans more than you’re working with us,” he told Paul. “We just don’t get along.”
“As for me saying that I condone violence, I don’t. I don’t think anyone should be shocked. I don’t like that,” Mullin said, adding: “Let me get your respect.”
“I’m not perfect, I’m not saying I’m not perfect,” he said.
Mullin became a member of parliament in 2023 after serving in the House for ten years before that.
Paul persisted Wednesday in demanding that Mullin answer for his comments about the violent attacks on his Kentucky neighbor years ago.
“I didn’t say I support it. I said I understand,” Mullin said.
Paul played a montage of Mullin threatening to fight Teamsters President Sean O’Brien on the Senate floor, in which Mullin noted that “my best friend Sean O’Brien” was sitting behind him and that the two have since reconciled their differences.
“Sir, I understand. It’s about your character being killed off. That’s how the game is played. I understand,” Mullin told Paul. “And you’re doing this for yourself.”
