Senate confirms Sen. Mullin as DHS secretary.

The Senate confirmed Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin as the new Secretary of Homeland Security in a 54-45 vote on March 23, 2026.

“5 Min Read The Senate confirmed Markwayne Mullin as homeland security secretary late Monday, approving President Donald Trump's nominee to take over the embattled department after the firing of Kristi Noem during a public backlash over the administration's immigration enforcement and mass deportation operations”

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Both Utah Sens. Mike Lee and John Curtis voted to confirm him.

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Mullin will replace former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who was abruptly removed by President Donald Trump months earlier.

He is set to take control of the agency on March 31.

The confirmation comes more than five weeks into a partial government shutdown that has crippled the Department of Homeland Security.

This has created significant disruptions for travelers and national security operations.

Mullin's selection reflects Trump's continued focus on hardline immigration policies.

It also reflects his preference for loyal allies in key national security positions.

The Department of Homeland Security has been partially shut down since February 14, 2026.

Federal funding lapsed due to Democratic protests over immigration enforcement operations.

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These protests followed two fatal shootings in Minneapolis earlier this year that killed two U.S. citizens.

The shutdown has caused major travel disruptions as tens of thousands of employees have gone without paychecks.

This has led to increased sick calls and resignations among TSA agents.

The TSA Union has expressed frustration that ICE agents are being paid while TSA officers are not.

The union opposes ICE agents working security checkpoints due to lack of proper training.

Despite ICE agents being deployed to airports for crowd control, travelers still face long security lines.

Mullin brings a unique background to the DHS secretary position.

He has served more than a dozen years in Congress after first being elected to the House of Representatives.

Previously, he ran a multimillion-dollar family plumbing business in Oklahoma.

Before his political career, he was a former mixed martial arts fighter and collegiate wrestler.

He became known for leading early-morning workout sessions in the House gym.

His business management experience and physical fitness background have shaped his reputation.

He is seen as a tough, hands-on leader.

Mullin has positioned himself as a loyal supporter of Trump's immigration agenda.

His selection was largely attributed to his unwavering loyalty to the president rather than specific expertise on immigration issues.

The confirmation vote revealed significant political divisions.

All GOP senators except for Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky voted to confirm Mullin.

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Paul's opposition stemmed from a personal conflict with Mullin.

He also had concerns about Mullin's temperament.

Paul called Mullin a 'man with anger issues' during the confirmation hearing.

He questioned whether someone who 'applauds violence against their political opponents' should lead an agency dealing with proper use of force.

Two Democrats broke ranks to vote for Mullin: John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico.

Heinrich described Mullin as a friend who 'is not someone who can simply be bullied into changing their views.'

Mullin positioned himself as more independent than expected.

He promised during his confirmation hearing that 'under my leadership, ICE would not conduct immigration raids without a judicial warrant.'

Mullin faces immediate and significant challenges as he assumes leadership of DHS.

His first objective is expected to be negotiating with Senate Democrats.

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Democrats are demanding major reforms to immigration enforcement operations.

The White House has indicated it would not continue talks until Mullin was placed in his new position.

This sets up a tense confrontation over ending the five-week shutdown.

Democrats want immigration officers to identify themselves and not wear masks.

They also want enforcement operations to avoid sensitive locations like schools and hospitals.

Democrats are demanding body cameras and judicial warrants for entering private spaces.

Beyond shutdown negotiations, Mullin faces internal skepticism from his own party.

This includes from Paul, who chairs the Senate committee that oversees DHS.

He must manage an agency that has been operating without proper funding.

The agency also faces public criticism over its enforcement tactics.