Mullin to Testify on Trump's Nomination as DHS Secretary Before Senate Panel.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., faced intense scrutiny during his March 18, 2026 confirmation hearing before the Senate Homeland Security Committee.

The hearing comes amid a tumultuous period for the agency, which has been shut down since February 14 due to funding disputes.

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Mullin, who has served over 13 years in Congress, was personally chosen by President Donald Trump to lead the department.

He replaces Kristi Noem, who was reassigned following controversies including the deaths of two U.S. citizens during immigration operations.

Noem faced bipartisan criticism for her handling of the deaths and oversight of immigration enforcement more broadly.

Mullin brings a unique background to the DHS secretary role, combining business ownership, Cherokee political heritage, and legislative experience.

A former mixed martial arts fighter and plumbing business owner from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Mullin has been in Congress since 2012.

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His career has been marked by both controversy and strong alliances, including an infamous 2023 confrontation with the Teamsters president.

Despite his combative approach, Mullin has cultivated working relationships across the aisle.

He has emerged as a close Trump ally who staunchly defends the administration's deportation policies.

The Department of Homeland Security remains in a state of crisis, with over 100,000 employees either furloughed or working without pay.

“Trump's homeland security pick Mullin faces senators' questions Senator Markwayne Mullin, who has been tapped by US President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Homeland Security, will appear on Wednesday in front of a congressional committee”

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The shutdown has particularly impacted airport security operations, with some airports experiencing callout rates as high as 30%.

Acting TSA Administrator Adam Stahl warned that smaller airports could be forced to shut down completely if the crisis persists.

'Every available financial option has been exhausted' and agents are facing eviction notices, vehicle repossessions, and empty refrigerators.

This situation has created significant operational challenges for the agency even as it faces heightened demands for immigration enforcement.

Senate Democrats are using Mullin's confirmation hearing to press for substantive reforms to immigration enforcement operations.

Key Democratic demands include expanding body-worn cameras, limiting enforcement at sensitive locations, requiring warrants for home raids, and ensuring visible officer identification.

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Sen. Richard Blumenthal warned that Mullin 'needs to make commitments for reform,' stating he should be 'defeated and rejected' if he doesn't commit to reforms.

The ranking Democrat, Sen. Gary Peters, expressed reservations about Mullin's 'readiness to take on such a significant role'.

Peters pledged to give Mullin a fair hearing despite his concerns about the nominee's qualifications.

Mullin has received strong backing from Republicans who view him as a reliable executor of Trump's hardline immigration agenda.

“Before he was a politician, he was a professional MMA fighter”

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Sen. Thom Tillis endorsed Mullin as a 'great guy and a great choice to lead DHS, restore competence, and refocus efforts on quickly distributing disaster aid'.

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Even some Democrats have indicated potential support, with Sen. John Fetterman stating he would vote for Mullin.

Fetterman said he agrees with Mullin 'on the need to reinforce border security and on deporting criminals.'

However, Mullin's nomination faces significant resistance from immigration advocacy groups and some Democrats who question whether swapping Noem represents any substantive change.