Senate confirms Mullin as DHS Secretary

The Senate confirmed Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin as the new Secretary of Homeland Security in a 54-45 vote on Monday evening.

The vote was largely along party lines, with two Democrats crossing over to support the nomination.

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Mullin replaces embattled former Secretary Kristi Noem during a period of intense controversy over immigration enforcement operations.

Mullin has served in the Senate since 2023 and previously represented Oklahoma's 2nd Congressional District from 2013 to 2023.

Democratic Senators John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico voted in favor of the nomination.

Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky was the sole GOP member to oppose the nomination.

The confirmation comes as President Trump continues to reshape his cabinet with loyal allies.

Mullin is positioned as a key figure in implementing the administration's hardline immigration agenda.

Mullin brings a unique background to the DHS Secretary role.

He transitioned from a successful family plumbing business in Oklahoma to become a mixed martial arts fighter.

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He later served as a conservative congressman known for his close relationship with President Trump.

The 48-year-old Cherokee Nation member will become only the second Native American to serve in a Presidential Cabinet in a secretarial role.

His bond with Trump was strengthened during his teenage son's severe brain injury ordeal.

Trump regularly checked in on Mullin and his family during that difficult time.

Mullin has positioned himself as a steady hand who wants to get DHS 'off the front page of the news'.

He aims to restore public confidence in the agency.

Mullin's confirmation faced significant controversy over his temperament and past statements.

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Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rand Paul strongly opposed the nomination.

Paul cited Mullin's comments expressing understanding for the neighbor who attacked him in 2017.

The attack left Paul with multiple broken ribs and a damaged lung.

During a heated confirmation hearing, Paul confronted Mullin directly about the assault.

Mullin responded that he 'did not say I supported it. I said I understood it.'

Democrats raised concerns about Mullin's experience and temperament.

Senator Gary Peters stated Mullin 'doesn't have the experience or the temperament to lead this critical department.'

Mullin also faced criticism for calling Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen fatally shot by ICE, a 'deranged individual'.

He later apologized for that remark.

Mullin inherits DHS during one of its most challenging periods.

The department faces a partial shutdown that has left 100,000 of 260,000 employees working without pay.

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The shutdown began on February 14, lasting nearly six weeks.

Democrats refused to fund DHS over concerns about aggressive immigration enforcement tactics.

The refusal followed fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by ICE agents in Minneapolis.

Trump has deployed ICE agents to airports to bolster security.

Their effectiveness has been questioned as travelers face long wait times.

Mullin will also need to address ongoing issues at FEMA.

Critics faulted Noem's policy of personally approving contracts over $100,000.

This policy slowed disaster response according to fellow Republicans.

The department currently lacks a full-time administrator.

Mullin outlined several policy positions during his confirmation hearing.

These positions could signal a shift from Noem's controversial approach.

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He emphasized his commitment to Trump's overall immigration agenda.

He pledged to require ICE agents to obtain judicial warrants for private home entries.

This would be a change from administrative warrants signed by ICE officials.

The exception would be cases of 'hot pursuit' of a suspect.

This represents a potential reversal of warrantless home entry policies.

Mullin acknowledged community concerns about large ICE detention facilities.

He said cutting federal funds to sanctuary jurisdictions would be 'a last resort'.

He maintained support for Trump's deportation goals.

He refused to rule out sending ICE agents to polling places.

On FEMA, he promised to revoke Noem's contract approval rule.

He rejected the idea of eliminating the agency entirely.