Senate Confirms Markwayne Mullin as DHS Secretary in 54–45 Vote Amid DHS Shutdown, Oklahoma Governor Appoints Energy Executive Alan Armstrong to Fill His Seat Temporarily
The Senate confirmed Sen. Markwayne Mullin as secretary of Homeland Security in a 54–45 vote on March 23, 2026, advancing a nominee whose heated confirmation process unfolded amid a partial DHS shutdown that left roughly 100,000 employees unpaid and strained TSA staffing at U.S. airports. Mullin’s confirmation followed an 8–7 committee vote (with Chair Rand Paul voting no and Sen. John Fetterman the lone Democrat to advance him) and a contentious hearing that featured a public clash over his past rhetoric and unexplained overseas travel, even as he pledged to require judicial warrants before entering homes except in hot‑pursuit cases and to pursue agency reforms. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed energy executive Alan Armstrong to fill Mullin’s Senate seat temporarily; Armstrong must pledge not to run and will serve until voters choose a replacement in November (with a primary on June 16).
📌 Key Facts
- The Senate confirmed Sen. Markwayne Mullin as secretary of Homeland Security on March 23, 2026; the nomination advanced on a cloture/advancement vote (reported as 54–37) and the final confirmation was 54–45, with most Republicans supporting, Sen. Rand Paul opposing, and Democratic Sens. John Fetterman and Martin Heinrich voting yes.
- Mullin will replace Kristi Noem, who was removed from the post and reassigned as Special Envoy for the 'Shield of the Americas'; Noem's last day was set for March 31, 2026.
- Mullin’s confirmation followed a heated Homeland Security Committee hearing that centered on his past remarks about Sen. Rand Paul, questions about his temperament, and unverified claims of dangerous private security travel to war zones; the committee advanced his nomination 8–7, with Fetterman the only Democrat to cross and Rand Paul (the committee chair) voting no.
- During the confirmation process Mullin made several policy commitments: DHS agents would be required to get judicial warrants before entering homes and businesses except when actively pursuing a suspect, FEMA should be restructured (not abolished), and he pledged to reduce DHS’s media profile — while declining a categorical answer on whether he would refuse unlawful orders.
- The confirmation came amid a partial DHS shutdown (begun in mid‑February and lasting roughly five weeks), leaving about 100,000 DHS employees furloughed or working without pay, producing TSA staffing shortages, missed paychecks and long airport lines; Democrats repeatedly tied DHS funding to statutory ICE/Border Patrol reforms.
- Stakeholders were divided: the National Border Patrol Council and a coalition of 'Angel Families' publicly endorsed Mullin and urged swift confirmation for tougher border enforcement, while Democrats and civil‑liberties advocates pressed for reforms such as visible badges/identification, bans on masks, mandatory body cameras and clearer legal recourse for misconduct.
- Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed energy executive Alan Armstrong (former Williams Companies CEO and former chair of the Department of Energy’s National Petroleum Council) to fill Mullin’s vacated Senate seat temporarily; Oklahoma law requires Armstrong to pledge not to run in the special election (primary June 16, general election in November), and Rep. Kevin Hern is an early frontrunner with top GOP endorsements.
- Background context: Mullin is an Oklahoma lawmaker with no formal law‑enforcement background (a former collegiate wrestler, mixed‑martial‑arts fighter, rancher and plumbing‑company owner); supporters portray him as a hands‑on problem solver, while critics warn he lacks experience to manage a sprawling DHS facing disaster‑aid backlogs, Iran‑era security risks and intense scrutiny over aggressive immigration enforcement tactics.
📊 Relevant Data
In the Department of Homeland Security workforce, White (Non-Hispanic or Latino) employees make up 51.7% of the total, Hispanic or Latino employees 22.8%, Black or African American employees 17.6%, Asian employees 5.3%, and other groups the remainder, based on 2023 data for 199,635 full-time employees.
EEO Management Section | Homeland Security — U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Black households in the US spend an average of 5.1% of their income on energy, compared to the national average of 3.2%, with this disparity linked to factors like older, less energy-efficient housing in majority-Black areas.
Black families are the hardest hit by high energy costs — UPI
The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act ended national origins quotas, leading to an increase in the foreign-born population from about 10 million (5.4% of the US population) in 1965 to 53.3 million (15.8% of the population) by January 2025, primarily from Latin America and Asia.
Foreign-Born Number and Share of U.S. Population at All-Time Highs in January 2025 — Center for Immigration Studies
Black and Latino households pay 13-18% more on average for energy per square foot of housing compared to White households, contributing to higher overall energy burdens.
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
Quinceañeras and Republican tumult
"A critical commentary arguing that Republican attempts at cultural outreach (evoked by 'quinceañeras') ring hollow amid DHS turmoil and a hard‑line deportation agenda that undermines trust with Latino communities and exposes the party’s internal dysfunction."
📰 Source Timeline (46)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
March 24, 2026
2:06 PM
Oklahoma governor taps energy executive to fill Mullin's Senate seat
New information:
- Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed energy executive Alan Armstrong to replace Markwayne Mullin in the U.S. Senate.
- Armstrong is executive chairman and former president and CEO of Tulsa-based Williams Companies and a former chair of the Department of Energy’s National Petroleum Council.
- Under Oklahoma law, Armstrong must pledge not to run for a full term and will serve only until voters choose a new senator in November, with a primary set for June 16.
- Rep. Kevin Hern has already emerged as a frontrunner in the race and has endorsements from Senate Majority Leader John Thune and President Trump.
11:13 AM
Senate confirms Sen. Mullin as DHS secretary. And, Iran denies U.S. talks to end war
New information:
- NPR piece reiterates that Mullin has been confirmed as DHS secretary but does not materially add beyond the existing detailed confirmation story.
- It places Mullin’s confirmation in the same news rundown as Iran war talks and the ICE–TSA airport situation, emphasizing the timing but offering no new specifics on his role or plans.
12:44 AM
Mullin confirmed as Trump’s homeland security secretary
New information:
- Confirms final Senate floor vote was 54–45, with Rand Paul the only Republican 'no' and Democrats John Fetterman and Martin Heinrich voting 'yes.'
- Details Mullin’s sworn commitment that DHS will require judicial warrants to enter homes and businesses except when actively pursuing a suspect, abandoning the prior reliance on DHS‑approved administrative warrants.
- Reports Mullin’s statement that he will not continue Kristi Noem’s policy of personally reviewing all DHS contracts, grants and expenditures over $100,000.
- Adds that Democrats have tied DHS funding renewal to enforcement reforms after federal officers killed two people in Minneapolis in January, and that TSA agents have now missed their first full paycheck during the shutdown.
- Describes Mullin’s non‑answer on whether he would refuse unlawful orders from Trump, saying only he would work within the Constitution, and his refusal to say whether he will keep pursuing the White House’s target of 3,000 migrant arrests per day.
- Provides more color on the confirmation hearing clash with Sen. Rand Paul and Mullin’s controversial claim that his 'war' comments stem from a classified 2016 overseas trip as a House member.
12:39 AM
Senate confirms Markwayne Mullin as Homeland Security secretary
New information:
- CBS piece reconfirms that the full Senate has now voted to confirm Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma as secretary of Homeland Security.
- It notes explicitly that Mullin will replace Kristi Noem as DHS secretary.
- No additional details on the vote margin, timing of swearing-in, or policy agenda are provided beyond the bare confirmation.
12:28 AM
Markwayne Mullin confirmed as DHS secretary in 54-45 Senate vote
New information:
- Confirms the precise Senate vote tally for Mullin’s confirmation: 54–45.
- Identifies the party crossover votes: Democratic Sens. John Fetterman and Martin Heinrich voted to confirm; Republican Sen. Rand Paul opposed.
- Details Paul’s specific objections, including his claim Mullin once said he understood why a neighbor attacked Paul and his argument that someone who 'applauds violence' is not suited to run DHS.
- Reports Mullin’s stated policy shift that DHS agents will be required to secure judicial warrants before entering homes and businesses, a change from prior practice.
- Notes that DHS has been shut down for nearly 40 days, with Democrats resisting funding without immigration‑enforcement reforms but showing more willingness to negotiate amid severe TSA staffing shortages.
- Adds that Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is expected to appoint oil and gas executive Alan Armstrong to fill Mullin’s vacated Senate seat until a special election.
- Includes President Trump’s fresh comments praising Mullin as 'a fantastic guy' who will 'make his own changes.'
- Highlights Mullin’s reputation for cross‑party relationships, including quotes from Heinrich calling him a friend and saying he will not 'take their orders' from the White House.
12:26 AM
Markwayne Mullin confirmed as the next secretary of Homeland Security
New information:
- The Senate formally confirmed Sen. Markwayne Mullin as secretary of Homeland Security in a 54–45 vote on March 23, 2026.
- Mullin will replace Kristi Noem as the second DHS secretary of Trump’s current term, taking over while about 100,000 DHS employees are working without pay during a shutdown.
- During his confirmation hearing, Mullin said his goal is to reduce DHS’s media profile within six months, pledged to visit a New Jersey town where DHS wants to convert warehouses to detention centers, and said judicial warrants should be used for entering homes and businesses unless officers are in active pursuit.
- Mullin said FEMA should be restructured rather than eliminated, distancing himself from some Trump‑administration voices that have floated abolishing the agency.
- The article reiterates that DHS, under Trump, has cut southwest‑border encounters to record lows, curbed legal migration, and placed a record‑high number of people in immigration detention, including controversial “surge” operations where federal agents have killed U.S. citizens in Minneapolis and Texas.
12:23 AM
Mullin confirmed as DHS chief as lawmakers near solution on shutdown standoff
New information:
- Details of the final floor vote: Mullin was confirmed on a largely party-line vote with Democratic Sens. John Fetterman and Martin Heinrich joining nearly all Republicans, while Sen. Rand Paul was the lone Republican 'no' based on personal and past-incident objections.
- Heinrich’s stated reason for backing Mullin: he said Mullin 'is not someone who can simply be bullied into changing his views' and that he looks forward to a secretary who does not 'take their orders from Stephen Miller.'
- Fresh description of shutdown negotiations: Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer held what both called 'productive' talks, but Trump intervened Sunday night on Truth Social insisting there be 'no deal' with Democrats unless they pass the SAVE America Act, urging Republicans to 'Kill the Filibuster' and stay in D.C. through Easter.
- Fox notes Democrats have now blocked DHS/ICE funding five times, including several GOP attempts at short-term extensions, and that Noem’s reassignment followed 'an explosive pair of hearings' and the fatal shootings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by ICE agents.
March 23, 2026
10:21 PM
300-plus Angel Families jump into Markwayne Mullin’s DHS nomination fight in unequivocal terms
New information:
- Advocacy group The American Border Story (TABS) says more than 300 families who lost loved ones to crimes by people unlawfully in the U.S. are urging senators to back Markwayne Mullin’s DHS nomination.
- TABS sent a letter Monday to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, praising Mullin’s engagement with border-security and public-safety issues and his willingness to meet with impacted families.
- The letter frames border security as a non-abstract issue for these families and argues Mullin would bring 'strong leadership, practical experience, and a clear commitment to protecting American communities' to DHS.
4:04 PM
WATCH LIVE: Senate expected to vote on DHS secretary confirmation for Mullin
New information:
- States that the Senate is 'on track to confirm' Markwayne Mullin as homeland security secretary, with a floor session at 3 p.m. EDT on March 23 and a confirmation vote expected late Monday.
- Notes explicitly that Kristi Noem was fired as DHS secretary amid public backlash over the administration's immigration enforcement and mass deportation operations.
- Adds detail that Trump has announced he is ordering immigration officers to help TSA agents at airports, which lawmakers warn could escalate tensions at crowded checkpoints.
- Provides additional framing that Mullin has pitched himself as a 'steady hand' who wants to get DHS 'off the front page,' while acknowledging he clashed with the Republican Homeland Security Committee chair over his character and temperament.
March 22, 2026
6:04 PM
Senate votes to advance Mullin's nomination to lead DHS
New information:
- Specifies the Senate cloture/advancement vote was 54–37 and held on Sunday, with the article confirming Mullin is on track for full confirmation this week to succeed Kristi Noem when she steps down at month’s end.
- Details that, beyond Sen. John Fetterman, Sen. Martin Heinrich also voted to advance Mullin on the floor, while the rest of the vote followed party lines.
- Clarifies that committee chair Rand Paul did not vote on the Sunday floor motion; had he voted no he would have been the first senator in nearly four decades to oppose a same‑party colleague’s Cabinet nomination.
- Adds color from the contentious March 18 hearing, including Paul’s on‑the‑record challenge that Mullin "tell me to my face" why Paul’s 2017 assault was justified and his accusation that Mullin has "anger issues."
- Reports that the hearing and Mullin’s testimony did not move the needle on resolving the ongoing DHS shutdown, with Sen. Richard Blumenthal saying Mullin’s stance against statutory ICE/Border Patrol reforms means his nomination does not increase chances of a compromise.
- Notes that negotiations over ending the DHS funding lapse continued Sunday at the Capitol with few signs of progress.
5:56 PM
Senate advances Markwayne Mullin's nomination for DHS secretary
New information:
- Provides an explicit vote count on the Senate floor: 54–37 to advance Mullin’s nomination, with all Republicans in attendance plus two Democrats.
- Confirms that the final confirmation vote is expected within days and that Mullin’s confirmation is considered "all-but guaranteed" given bipartisan support.
- Clarifies that Mullin was chosen to replace Kristi Noem after her ouster as DHS secretary, noting she faced scrutiny for DHS immigration enforcement and controversial advertising spending.
- Details the Rand Paul–Mullin clash at the confirmation hearing, including Mullin allegedly calling Paul a "freaking snake" and saying he understood why a neighbor attacked Paul, and Paul’s quote questioning whether someone who "applauds violence" should run DHS.
- Reiterates that Sen. John Fetterman was the only Democrat on the Homeland Security Committee to vote Mullin out of committee, aligning with the earlier account but with more explicit emphasis on party-line dynamics.
- Adds that the Senate held a rare Sunday session primarily for an elections bill debate, with the Mullin cloture vote occurring alongside that session.
5:50 PM
Mullin's confirmation survives key test vote as DHS remains shutdown
New information:
- Reports that on Sunday the Senate held and passed a key test vote on Mullin’s nomination to be DHS secretary, clearing the way for a final confirmation vote likely Monday evening.
- States that Mullin is poised to replace DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who was fired by President Trump after Hill hearings and the deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti during immigration operations in Minnesota.
- Details Mullin’s on‑record commitment in his hearing that ICE will use judicial warrants to enter homes and businesses "unless we're pursuing someone that enters in that place," signaling willingness to meet a core Democratic demand.
- Notes that Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, have blocked DHS funding five times seeking ICE reforms, and that the shutdown is on track to become the longest in history absent a deal.
- Describes new back‑to‑back negotiating meetings involving Sens. Susan Collins and Katie Britt with Senate Democrats and border czar Tom Homan, plus a third meeting that was scheduled for Saturday but canceled at the last minute.
March 20, 2026
3:23 PM
"He needs to go": Fetterman's fellow Democrats rage over his vote on Mullin for DHS
New information:
- Axios names Sen. John Fetterman as the Democrat who crossed party lines and cast the deciding vote to advance Markwayne Mullin’s DHS nomination, confirming he voted with Republicans while committee chair Rand Paul and the other Democrats opposed.
- Multiple Democratic officials, including Rep. Brendan Boyle and Rep. Pat Ryan, publicly attack Fetterman over the vote, with Boyle saying on X, 'He needs to go' and labeling him 'Trump's favorite Democrat,' and Ryan accusing him of abandoning his constituents.
- Rep. Chrissy Houlahan tells a town hall that she has 'more success' working with Republican Sen. Dave McCormick than with fellow Democrat Fetterman, sharpening local intra‑delegation criticism.
- Former Rep. Conor Lamb and other Democratic figures outside Congress join the backlash, with Lamb deriding Fetterman as a 'vigilante' and a former candidate apologizing to donors for having shared his donor list with Fetterman’s 2022 campaign.
- Fetterman issues a public statement defending his vote as an 'open‑minded' decision based on a 'strong committed, constructive working relationship' with Mullin and arguing that 'We need a leader at DHS. We must reopen DHS.'
2:49 PM
Trump-backed Senate hopeful gains momentum with top GOP endorsements before Mullin DHS shift
New information:
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune has formally endorsed Rep. Kevin Hern for U.S. Senate, calling him a 'proven conservative leader and fighter for Oklahomans.'
- NRSC chair Sen. Tim Scott has also endorsed Hern, saying Republicans are 'excited to welcome him to our Republican majority as Oklahoma’s next Senator.'
- President Donald Trump issued a 'Complete and Total Endorsement' of Hern for the seat in a Truth Social post.
- Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt publicly reiterated on X that, once Mullin is confirmed as DHS secretary, he will quickly appoint a temporary replacement but state law requires any appointee to swear they will not run when the seat next appears on the ballot.
March 19, 2026
4:12 PM
WATCH: Senate Homeland Security advances Markwayne Mullin's nomination for DHS
New information:
- Confirms the committee vote as 8–7 and reiterates that it sends Mullin’s DHS nomination to the full Senate, which could vote as soon as next week.
- Reaffirms that Rand Paul, the Republican chair, voted no and John Fetterman, a Democrat, voted yes, and includes fresh quote language on Fetterman saying his vote was rooted in a committed working relationship on security.
- Adds AP framing that Mullin "signaled support for Trump's immigration priorities" and links that stance to the ongoing DHS funding lapse tied to those policies.
2:03 PM
Mullin’s DHS nomination clears committee by 1 vote, heads to Senate
New information:
- Confirms the Senate Homeland Security Committee advanced Markwayne Mullin’s DHS nomination on March 19, 2026, by an 8–7 vote, with Sen. John Fetterman providing the deciding vote.
- Details that Committee Chair Rand Paul joined most Democrats in voting against Mullin after Mullin refused to apologize for calling Paul a “freaking snake” and saying he understood why Paul’s neighbor assaulted him in 2017.
- Reports that Mullin claimed a 2016 foreign trip was classified, later briefed senators in a secure room, and Sen. James Lankford now believes the trip was not classified but may have been covered only by a nondisclosure agreement.
- Notes DHS has been shut down since Feb. 13 due to a funding lapse, with TSA agents missing a full week of pay and airport lines stretching to hours as the shutdown drags on.
- States that Mullin is expected to clear the 50-vote threshold in the full Senate but faces an “uphill battle” leading DHS amid partisan fights over aggressive immigration enforcement.
1:52 PM
Mullin scores committee approval to head DHS
New information:
- Confirms the homeland security committee vote was 8–7 with Sen. Rand Paul voting no and Sen. John Fetterman voting yes, aligning with earlier reporting but from an additional source.
- Highlights that it is unusual for a Cabinet nominee to advance to a floor vote without support from the chair of the committee of jurisdiction.
- Notes that if Rand Paul ultimately votes against Mullin on the Senate floor, he would be the only senator in modern history to oppose a fellow senator nominated by a president of his own party.
- Adds fresh quotes and color from the March 18 hearing, including Paul’s on‑camera challenge to Mullin to justify his past comments about the assault that broke Paul’s ribs and to explain why the public should trust someone accused of anger issues.
- Includes Democratic criticism that Mullin’s testimony did not move the needle on resolving the DHS shutdown or on statutory ICE/Border Patrol reforms, with a quote from Sen. Richard Blumenthal saying his nomination does not increase the likelihood of compromise.
1:50 PM
Mullin survives bruising hearing with Dem help, inches one step closer to becoming next DHS chief
New information:
- Fox explicitly reports that Sen. John Fetterman was the only Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to vote to advance Mullin and that his vote was decisive.
- Fetterman is quoted explaining his support, saying he came with an open mind, is not interested in 'gotcha moments,' and that Mullin has been 'consistent and professional' in his experience.
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is quoted saying he will not support Mullin’s nomination on the floor and arguing that problems at DHS, especially ICE and CBP, 'run far deeper than just who is in charge.'
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune is quoted predicting that once out of committee Mullin will have 'broad support across the Senate,' despite the contentious hearing.
- The article underscores that the nomination will now go to the Senate floor and require only a simple majority vote, while noting that ongoing conflict over the DHS shutdown may cost Mullin several Democratic votes.
1:48 PM
Senate committee advances Markwayne Mullin's nomination for DHS secretary
New information:
- Confirms committee tally as 8–7, with Rand Paul the only Republican opposing advancement and John Fetterman the only Democrat supporting it, allowing the nomination to move forward.
- Adds detailed account of the heated exchange in the confirmation hearing, including Paul confronting Mullin over allegedly calling him a "freaking snake" and saying he understood why a neighbor attacked Paul in 2017, and Paul’s argument that someone who "applauds violence" may not be fit to lead DHS.
- Clarifies that the disputed overseas trip Mullin initially described as classified was addressed in a secure briefing to senators, with Sen. James Lankford saying it involved a nondisclosure related to a whistleblower and dismissing it as "mountain, molehill stuff."
- Includes on‑the‑record criticism from Committee ranking Democrat Gary Peters, who says Mullin has not been "forthright and transparent" and lacks the experience and temperament to restore trust in DHS.
- Notes Trump’s recent praise of Mullin as a "MAGA Warrior" who will advance the "America First" agenda, and Mullin’s own framing of his leadership style as "empowering people" and bringing back confidence in DHS.
1:42 PM
Homeland Security Nominee Clears Key Hurdle
New information:
- The Senate Homeland Security Committee voted 8–7 to send Markwayne Mullin’s nomination to lead DHS to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation.
- Committee support broke along party lines except that Republican Chair Rand Paul voted no and Democrat John Fetterman voted yes, providing the margin Mullin needed.
- Paul threatened to hold up the vote unless Mullin elaborated in classified session on an overseas trip he has described as experiencing a war zone despite having no military background; Paul says he will vote against confirmation.
- Mullin is expected to face a full Senate confirmation vote next week and would take over DHS at what the article calls a ‘sensitive moment’ in Trump’s mass deportation campaign.
10:48 AM
Sen. Blumenthal discusses reforming DHS and his concerns about the war in Iran
New information:
- Blumenthal says Mullin failed in the hearing to establish meaningful policy differences from ousted DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
- He specifies the core reforms Democrats are seeking: visible badges and identification for DHS officers, bans on officers wearing masks, mandatory body cameras, and a clear right for people to go to court when officers harm them illegally.
- Blumenthal states that 'so far, the administration has failed to agree to' these basic reforms, framing them as similar to standards many U.S. police departments already face.
9:30 AM
'Tell me to my face': Top moments in Mullin's heated confirmation hearing to be Trump's next DHS chief
New information:
- Article details Paul’s opening confrontation in which he accuses Mullin of lacking the courage to tell him to his face that the 2017 assault was justified, and Mullin responds by saying he previously told Paul he could "understand" why the neighbor attacked him.
- The piece quotes Mullin explicitly acknowledging that his prior description of Minnesota ICE‑shooting victim Alex Pretti as a "deranged individual that came in to cause max damage" was a mistake, saying, "Those words probably should have been retracted" and that he "went out there too fast" without facts.
- It notes that Committee Chair Rand Paul plans to oppose Mullin’s nomination and that without Democratic support on the panel, Mullin’s confirmation could be substantially slowed despite Trump’s March 31 deadline.
March 18, 2026
11:00 PM
Sen Rand Paul says Trump’s DHS pick, Markwayne Mullin, is 'unfit' for the job after heated hearing exchange
New information:
- In a Fox News 'America Reports' interview, Sen. Rand Paul explicitly called Markwayne Mullin 'unacceptable and unfit to hold office' and said he will vote against his confirmation as DHS secretary.
- Paul detailed that his 2017 neighbor attack caused six broken ribs, lung damage, partial lung removal, and two bouts of pneumonia, arguing that anyone who 'readily' understands or justifies that violence is unfit to lead law enforcement.
- Paul quoted Mullin as saying he could 'understand' why Paul's neighbor attacked him and criticized Mullin’s past references to dueling and caning in the Senate and a quote that 'men will settle their differences by you punching them in the mouth,' portraying this as evidence of a violent temperament.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune is quoted reaffirming that, despite their 'personal history,' he still believes Mullin is the 'right person' for the DHS job, and Paul conceded Mullin is likely to be confirmed absent an apology.
10:40 PM
Mullin grilled on past remarks in tense DHS confirmation hearing
New information:
- PBS piece emphasizes that much of the hearing’s heat centered on senators grilling Mullin over his past comments, not just his unexplained foreign travel or security‑work claims.
- The report highlights senators pressing Mullin on how his leadership and enforcement posture would differ from ousted DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s, framing the hearing around continuity vs. change at DHS.
- The segment underscores that exchanges became "heated and emotional" at multiple points in the hearing, adding color and confirming the contentious tone already reported elsewhere.
10:06 PM
One 'freaking snake' and no apologies: How the Mullin hearing went off the rails
New information:
- Details of a fiery, on‑the‑record clash between committee chair Sen. Rand Paul and nominee Sen. Markwayne Mullin, including Paul’s opening challenge to Mullin to justify earlier remarks that appeared to condone the assault that left Paul with broken ribs.
- Direct quotes in which Mullin reiterates past comments that he could "understand" why Paul’s neighbor attacked him, calls Paul a "freaking snake," and explicitly refuses to apologize during the hearing.
- Color and context around how Mullin leaned into a 'fight, fight, fight' posture aligned with Trump’s political style, with GOP colleagues and former Speaker Kevin McCarthy visibly backing him in the hearing room, highlighting both his loyalty to Trump and the intra‑GOP rift over his nomination.
8:52 PM
Markwayne Mullin’s ‘super secret’ travel suddenly gives senators some pause
New information:
- During the March 18, 2026 hearing, Mullin told senators that his past 'smell of war' comments referred to 2015–2016 foreign trips he described as 'classified,' even though he has no military service and had not disclosed such travel to the committee.
- Sen. Rand Paul and Sen. Gary Peters publicly questioned whether Mullin had in fact been on any 'super secret mission,' noting his travel was with the House Energy and Commerce Committee, not Intelligence or Armed Services.
- After a closed‑door classified session, Democratic senators said they remained unsatisfied with Mullin’s explanation, and Mullin ally Sen. James Lankford suggested the trips may have been covered by a non‑disclosure agreement rather than formally classified activity.
- Lankford, Peters and Sen. Maggie Hassan all told reporters they did not know whether the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee would still vote on Mullin’s nomination on Thursday as Paul had previously indicated, injecting fresh uncertainty into the confirmation timeline.
- Lankford characterized the dispute as "mountain‑molehill stuff" and said the overseas trip involved a whistleblower, framing the issue as much smaller than the committee fight suggests.
8:18 PM
Mullin faces sharp criticism as DHS nominee – and tests softer immigration tone
New information:
- Frames the hearing explicitly against a five‑week partial DHS shutdown and a months‑long DHS leadership crisis, with Mullin pledging to 'bring confidence back to the agency.'
- Details a sharp, personal clash with Committee Chairman Rand Paul, including Paul’s question about trusting 'a man with anger issues' and Mullin’s acknowledgment he said he 'understood' Paul’s 2017 assault.
- Reports Mullin’s specific policy stance that FEMA should be 'restructured, but not scrapped.'
- Adds that Mullin affirmed support for judicial warrants before forcibly entering homes 'unless we’re pursuing someone,' indicating some distance from a DHS policy introduced last year.
- Notes his stated willingness to examine local impacts of new immigration facilities amid community backlash.
- Captures a more complete, hedged expression of regret over calling Minneapolis victim Alex Pretti 'deranged,' with Mullin admitting he spoke 'without the facts' but stopping short of a full apology, saying he would apologize to the family only 'if proven wrong' after an investigation.
- Highlights Democratic Sen. Gary Peters’ concern that Mullin’s account of past official travel 'seems to keep changing,' raising specific questions about his candor and transparency requirements for the nomination process.
- Includes supportive testimony from GOP Sen. James Lankford describing Mullin as a hands‑on problem solver based on a 2013 Oklahoma tornado disaster scene anecdote.
7:43 PM
Watch: Markwayne Mullin says he regrets calling Alex Pretti a "deranged individual"
New information:
- During the confirmation hearing, Sen. Gary Peters questioned Markwayne Mullin about international trips he has taken while serving in Congress.
- Mullin stated on the record that he regrets calling Alex Pretti a 'deranged individual' after Pretti was shot and killed by a federal agent in Minneapolis in early January.
- The clip confirms Mullin is now attempting to walk back at least some of his earlier rhetoric about the Minneapolis killing while under confirmation scrutiny.
5:22 PM
"Tell me to my face": Paul a "no" on Mullin after heated hearing
New information:
- Committee chair Sen. Rand Paul said after the hearing that he will vote against reporting Markwayne Mullin’s DHS nomination out of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
- Paul opened the hearing by challenging Mullin to "tell me to my face" why comments Mullin made about an assault that left Paul with broken ribs were justified, and accused Mullin of having "anger issues."
- Mullin directly confronted Paul in his opening, accusing him of fighting Republicans more than working with them, defending his prior remarks as criticisms of Paul's "gimmicks" and saying he would not apologize for "pointing out your character."
- Despite his opposition, Paul told another outlet he has agreed to allow an "expeditious vote" on Mullin’s nomination in committee.
4:46 PM
WATCH: Sen. Paul asks DHS nominee Mullin if he believes violence can resolve political differences
New information:
- PBS provides verbatim exchange where Rand Paul asks Mullin if he believes political disputes can be resolved by violence and Mullin responds, “I don't believe in political violence. I've made that very clear.”
- Paul confronts Mullin with his past references to historical ‘precedence’ for resolving political differences through caning and dueling and corrects Mullin’s claim that dueling is still on the books, saying it has been illegal for 170 years.
- The article notes Paul cited Mullin’s prior CNN interview where Mullin said he had “no regrets” about a near-brawl with a witness at a 2023 Senate hearing, sharpening the line of criticism about Mullin’s suitability to model use-of-force limits as DHS chief.
4:15 PM
Trump highlights Border Patrol union's endorsement of Sen Markwayne Mullin to helm DHS
New information:
- President Trump publicly highlighted the National Border Patrol Council’s endorsement of Sen. Markwayne Mullin to be DHS Secretary, reposting the union’s letter and social media support on Truth Social.
- NBPC President Paul Perez sent a March 17, 2026 letter to Senate Homeland Security Committee chair Rand Paul and ranking member Gary Peters, formally endorsing Mullin and urging the committee to 'swiftly' advance his nomination.
- The NBPC amplified its endorsement on X, calling Mullin its choice to lead DHS and praising Trump’s 'tremendously successful leadership' on border issues.
- Kristi Noem told DHS employees in an internal message that her last day as Secretary will be March 31, 2026, and described her new role as Special Envoy for the 'Shield of the Americas' initiative focused on dismantling drug cartels alongside other cabinet officials.
3:29 PM
Paul calls Mullin a "man with anger issues" in confirmation hearing
New information:
- Rand Paul, as committee chair, explicitly labeled Markwayne Mullin a 'man with anger issues' during Mullin’s DHS confirmation hearing.
- Paul recounted his 2017 yard assault in detail at the hearing, described his injuries, and directly accused Mullin of justifying and celebrating that attack in prior comments.
- Mullin responded that he could 'understand' why Paul’s neighbor assaulted him because of Paul's behavior, reiterated calling Paul a 'snake in the grass,' and did not apologize, leading Paul to ask that the record reflect Mullin’s 'lack of contrition.'
- Paul tied Mullin’s 2023 attempt to start a physical fight with Teamsters President Sean O'Brien in a Senate HELP hearing to concerns about whether Mullin can model proper use-of-force limits for 250,000 DHS personnel.
3:11 PM
Sen Rand Paul grills Mullin on past comments on assault: 'Tell it to my face'
New information:
- Rand Paul used his opening statement as committee chair to accuse Markwayne Mullin of excusing the 2017 neighbor assault on Paul and challenged him to repeat those past remarks ‘to my face’.
- Mullin responded by saying that in a prior private conversation he told Paul he could ‘understand’ why Paul’s neighbor did what he did, and acknowledged calling Paul a ‘snake in the grass.’
- Mullin told the committee he is ‘blunt and direct,’ said he can ‘set aside’ personal animosity if Paul will, and pledged as DHS secretary to protect all states, including Kentucky, despite their feud.
11:22 AM
Trump DHS pick Markwayne Mullin will appear before senators for his confirmation hearing
New information:
- Confirms Mullin’s hearing is the first opportunity for lawmakers and the public to hear directly from him about how he plans to run DHS.
- Provides additional White House framing via spokeswoman Abigail Jackson, emphasizing Mullin will focus on 'removing the worst-of-the-worst criminal illegal aliens' in line with Trump’s agenda.
- Includes advance excerpts of opening remarks from Sen. Gary Peters, who says he has 'reservations' about Mullin’s readiness and calls for 'straightforward' reforms to align DHS officers’ conduct with police rules.
- Reiterates and contextualizes that intense enforcement operations in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago and Minneapolis — including controversial tactics and two protester shooting deaths in Minneapolis — are a central backdrop for questioning Mullin.
- Stresses that the public mood has soured on mass‑deportation tactics and that Democrats are refusing to fund DHS until conduct reforms are made.
10:00 AM
Markwayne Mullin confirmation hearing set for today
New information:
- CBS specifies that Mullin’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee is set for 9:30 a.m. today and will be live‑streamed.
- The article reports DHS has been shut down for more than a month due to a funding impasse over immigration enforcement operations.
- It adds that hundreds of TSA officers have quit and many are calling out sick as they work without pay, creating significant staffing headaches at U.S. airports.
- CBS notes Democrats attempted unanimous‑consent funding for most DHS agencies (blocked by Republicans), while Republicans pushed a temporary full‑DHS funding bill (blocked by Democrats), detailing the latest failed maneuvers on the Hill.
- The piece emphasizes Mullin is considered on a 'glidepath' to confirmation, with the committee potentially voting as soon as Thursday and Republican leaders expecting some Democratic support.
9:00 AM
Mullin faces Democrat grilling in first hurdle to lead DHS amid shutdown fight
New information:
- Democrats on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee explicitly plan to use the hearing to extract Mullin’s commitments to 'far‑reaching and fundamental' reforms to DHS immigration enforcement.
- Sen. Richard Blumenthal is quoted calling Mullin’s past 'incendiary statements' disqualifying unless he retracts them and warning Mullin should be 'defeated and rejected' if he refuses deep reforms.
- The article underscores Mullin’s 'icy' personal relationship with Committee Chair Sen. Rand Paul, who declined to preview how the hearing will go, saying only, 'Come tomorrow, and you’ll find out more.'
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune says GOP leaders have not formally whipped votes but notes Mullin has 'good, strong relationships' with Democrats and frames the nomination as giving Democrats the leadership change they demanded when Kristi Noem was removed.
- Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat on the committee, is identified as an early public supporter of Mullin’s nomination and says he is in ongoing talks with Mullin about DHS reforms and has a planned pre‑hearing meeting.
- The piece reiterates Trump’s desired timeline: he wants Mullin installed and Noem out by March 31, adding urgency to the confirmation push despite Democratic resistance.
9:00 AM
Markwayne Mullin’s offer on DHS: The same Trump agenda, a new hardline leader
New information:
- Confirms Mullin will face his Senate colleagues in a confirmation hearing on Wednesday in the same type of committee room where former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s tenure began to unravel.
- Details that DHS remains shut down and under scrutiny for two fatal ICE shootings in Minneapolis, which have sparked protests and questions about agency tactics.
- Reports that Mullin publicly defended the January shooting of Renee Good as “justified,” saying, “If you don’t want to be in harm’s way, don’t get in the way of police officers from doing their job.”
- Includes Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s on‑record support for Mullin, with her critique of Noem’s management and her call for “more engagement with the Congress” from DHS leadership.
- Quotes Sens. John Kennedy and Thom Tillis outlining what they want from Mullin on FEMA disaster relief and on Operation Charlotte’s Web, with Tillis saying Mullin should “come clean” about the ICE surge in North Carolina that led to detention of U.S. citizens.
9:00 AM
Sen. Mullin faces confirmation hearing to lead Homeland Security Department
New information:
- NPR confirms the hearing is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, and will be before the Senate Homeland Security Committee (with live stream).
- Reports that Kristi Noem becomes the first Cabinet secretary to leave Trump’s second-term administration and has been reassigned as Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, a regional coalition of Latin American countries.
- Details that an immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota led to protests and the deaths of two U.S. citizens, a key factor in Noem’s bipartisan criticism and removal.
- States that over 100,000 DHS employees are currently furloughed or working without pay due to the partial DHS shutdown, including TSA and FEMA workers who are unrelated to immigration enforcement.
- Provides excerpts of prepared opening remarks from Senate Homeland Security Committee ranking Democrat Gary Peters, including his concerns about Mullin’s 'readiness' and his warning that the DHS secretary should not be a 'cable news commentator' in crises.
- Notes that Mullin’s nomination has drawn support from Teamsters president Sean O’Brien, despite Mullin having previously threatened to fight him in a Senate hearing, with O’Brien now calling Mullin willing to 'stand their butt up to protect America.'
- Reiterates Trump’s posted rationale for choosing Mullin, including his pledge that Mullin will 'Stop Migrant Crime, Murderers, and other Criminals from illegally entering our Country' and 'MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN.'
8:50 AM
Sen. Markwayne Mullin's secret war zone past
New information:
- Axios reports that Markwayne Mullin has privately told colleagues he did dangerous private security work in Middle East war zones, including Afghanistan, before running for Congress, though there is no public record of such work.
- Multiple former House colleagues say Mullin has described spending extended periods overseas 'protecting our country' in a non-military role, and Mullin himself told a radio show he did 'special assignments outside of DoD' working 'alongside' those under military contract.
- Mullin refused to answer Axios’ questions directly, saying, 'Brother, you know that I can't talk about any questions like this,' while his spokesperson framed his pre‑Congress work as Christian 'mission work' and mentorship for U.S. troops, not confirming the war‑zone security claims.
March 17, 2026
6:02 PM
Trump's security pick Mullin poised to inherit a DHS beset by challenges
New information:
- AP details that Mullin would "walk into" DHS with immigration enforcement at a crossroads, delayed disaster aid angering states, and frustrated travelers facing long TSA lines due to a monthlong funding battle in Congress.
- The article specifies that outgoing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s social‑media‑driven management style contributed to her downfall and that Mullin is expected to follow White House policy priorities while being seen in the Senate more as a de facto spokesman for Trump than a legislator.
- It reports that approval of Trump’s immigration approach has fallen since the start of his second term, with most Americans now saying he has "gone too far," raising pressure on Mullin to recalibrate how mass deportations are carried out.
- Former acting ICE Director John Sandweg is quoted warning Mullin will need to decide whether enforcement focuses on "numbers or quality"—mass arrest sweeps versus more targeted operations—and that he will face internal pressure to keep deportation numbers high.
- Sen. John Kennedy, R‑La., is quoted saying DHS has "serious management problems" and that he told Mullin a full audit of the department is needed.
10:00 AM
Mullin wins backing from China, Cuba hawks — and some Democrats — as critics question fitness to lead DHS
New information:
- Sen. James Lankford, a Homeland Security Committee member from Oklahoma, publicly calls Mullin 'the right man at the right time' and says he expects Mullin to 'turn FEMA around.'
- Rep. Carlos Gimenez, the only Cuban‑born member of Congress and a leading Cuba hawk, strongly endorses Mullin, tying his support to expectations of a 'dramatic transition in Cuba' and saying he trusts Mullin to implement a 'course‑correction' at DHS.
- Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat on the Homeland Security Committee, says he will vote to confirm Mullin, citing agreement on border security and 'rounding up and deporting criminals' while criticizing Kristi Noem’s Minneapolis operation.
- Democratic Sen. Andy Kim, also on the Homeland Security Committee, goes on record as a hard 'no,' framing Mullin’s confirmation as a referendum on Trump’s immigration enforcement and FEMA performance and saying the administration resists needed reforms.
- Trump has publicly floated the idea that Cuba’s regime could collapse 'pretty soon,' with backers suggesting Mullin is suited to manage DHS during potential upheaval there.
9:00 AM
Wrestler, senator, tribal citizen: Who is Markwayne Mullin, Trump’s pick to lead DHS?
New information:
- Confirms that Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin is President Trump’s nominee to replace fired DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and that his Senate confirmation hearing is set for Wednesday.
- States that DHS has been in a partial shutdown for about five weeks, leaving thousands of employees unpaid while the department faces heightened risks from the Iran war and pressure to execute mass deportations.
- Details Mullin’s background as a former mixed martial arts fighter, collegiate wrestler, rancher, and plumbing company owner, and notes he lacks a formal law-enforcement background, which is typical for DHS secretaries.
- Reports that Trump publicly labeled Mullin a 'MAGA Warrior' and that Mullin responded by praising Trump for having 'the most secure U.S. border in American history' and pledging to 'defend the homeland.'
- Includes on‑the‑record support from GOP Sen. John Boozman, who calls Mullin well liked on both sides of the aisle and predicts he will have little trouble being confirmed.
March 16, 2026
3:00 PM
Trump's mass deportation agenda is at a crossroads as DHS changes leadership
New information:
- Confirms timing and framing of Kristi Noem’s departure and Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s upcoming DHS confirmation hearings as the immediate ‘crossroads’ for Trump’s immigration agenda.
- Reports that the White House political director, at a retreat at Trump’s Florida golf club, urged Republicans to emphasize enforcement against people with criminal records, while the White House press office insists the overall mass‑deportation agenda is unchanged.
- Quotes House Speaker Mike Johnson calling the aggressive deportation sweeps a political “hiccup” and promising a “course correction,” even as operations continue and ramp up.
- Highlights civil‑liberties concerns from the ACLU’s Sarah Mehta, who says the public is now seeing what “mass detention and mass deportation” look like and describes DHS as “really going forward with some of the cruelest policies.”
- Includes pro‑deportation advocate Rosemary Jenks arguing that now is an “opportunity” to increase deportation numbers amid internal GOP talk of backing away from Trump’s campaign‑trail mass deportation promise.