Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma has been confirmed by the Senate to head the Department of Homeland Security just weeks after President Donald Trump tapped him for the role. Current DHS Secretary Kristi Noem will continue in her position until March 31.
Mullin’s nomination sailed through the Senate on a 54-45 vote, with Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky being the lone GOP “no” vote following a heated exchange during confirmation hearings. Paul criticized Mullin for allegedly calling an assault that left him with broken ribs “completely understandable.” Mullin responded that if he had something to say, he would “say it directly to [his] face,” arguing that Paul “likes to fight Republicans more than you work with us.”
Despite Paul’s opposition, Mullin secured support from Democrats including Senators John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico.
The confirmation comes as Mullin is set to resolve a partial DHS shutdown that began on February 14. This shutdown has withheld funding from critical agencies like TSA and FEMA, causing massive security lines and flight delays nationwide.
Senate Democrats allowed DHS funding to lapse after the shootings of anti-ICE agitators Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Notably, the partial shutdown does not affect immigration enforcement agencies that Democrats seek to dismantle. Mullin’s Democratic colleagues have also demanded changes to immigration enforcement, including deploying body cameras and removing face coverings, all of which he must negotiate in his new role.
Mullin is expected to be sworn in at the White House on Tuesday afternoon.
