Mullin wants to restore confidence
Senator nominated to succeed Noem at DHS
By: Bart Jansen
Sarah D. Wire
Christopher Cann
and Zachary Schermele
USA Today
WASHINGTON - senator Markwayne Mullen, R-Oklahoma, President Donald Trump's pick to replace Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security, offered a conciliatory approach in his confirmation hearing March 18 [2026] for greater restraints from immigration officers while a key Republican critic questioned his indifference to violate political rhetoric.
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With Noem in charge, DHS faced intense scrutiny for its aggressive enforcement, the deaths of two U.S. citizens at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis and ad spending.
..... Mullin, 48, said in his opening statement that he wants to return "peace of mind and confidence" to the department.
..... "My goal in six months is that we've not in the lead story every single day" in the news, he said. "My goal is for people to understand we're out there - we're protecting them and we're working with them."
..... He vowed to work for all Americans as the head of DHS and repeatedly said he wanted to "restore" confidence."
..... Mullin said that under his leadership, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers won't enter homes or businesses without a judicial warrant unless chasing a suspect inside.
..... That pledge could resolve a key dispute in the DHSD funding impasse.
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He said he regrets calling Alex Pretti "a deranged individual that came in to cause max damage" soon after the ICU nurse was killed by mitigation agents in Minneapolis.
..... However, Mullin refused to retract his statement about Renee Good, who wash shot and killed by an ICE officer in January. [2026] At the time, he told CNN he believed the shooting was "absolutely" justified.
..... Mullin stood by those comments at the hearing, saying "an officer had to make a split decision" and that Good's car was "running toward him."
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He commented to senators that he would not personally review all spending over $100,000, enduing a policy that Noem put in place. Critics have said that the review policy delayed FEMA response during disaster, including during the central Texas floods in 2025.
..... Mullin called that micromanaging and said he doesn't intend to continue it.
..... "We put people in, we empower them to make decisions," he said.
..... Mullin served 10 years in the House before winning his Senate seat in a special election in 2022. He is a former mixed martial arts fighter and an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation. If confirmed, he will walk into a department that's responsible for everything from screening airport passengers to securing the border and doling out disaster assistance.
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The union representing Border Patrol agents endorsed Mulllin for DHS secretary. However, Senator Gary Peters, D-Michigan, questioned if Mullin is qualified. Though a staunch defender of Trump's agenda. Mullin has not previously played a significant role in providing oversight of the sprawling Homeland Security Department. He used to run his family plumbing business.
..... "I do have reservations about your readiness to take on such a significant role at such a critical time," Peters said. "I hope you will provide us with the substantive answers today [03/18/2026] and a candid recognition of where this administration has fallen short on safeguarding our homeland security."
..... Senator Raul Paul, the Republican chair of the Senate committee in charge of DHS, excoriated Mullin for his comments after a neighbor attacked Paul several years ago, breaking his ribs and requiring the partial removal of one lung.
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He said Mullin called Paul "a freaking snake" and then lied about criticizing Paul to his face.
..... "I was shocked that you would justify and celebrate this violent assault that caused me so much pain," Paul said. "I just wonder if someone who applauds violence against their political opponent is the right person to lead an agency that has struggled to accept limits to the proper use of force."
..... Mullin pushed back.
..... For you to say I'm a liar, sir, that's not accurate, and I've got proof to say that because you have spent millions of dollars in campaign against me because we just don't get along," Mullin said. "However, sir, that doesn't keep me at all form doing my job. I can have different opinions with everybody in this room, but as secretary of Homeland, I will be protecting everybody."
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He declined to apologize for his comments about the neighbor attacking Paul.
..... "It's about charter assassination for you," Mullin added about the "political theater" of the hearing.
..... Still, Mullin said, "I can set it aside, if you're willing to set it aside. Let me earn the job, I won't fail you."
..... Paul also played a video of Mullin threatening so fight Sean O'Brien, the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, during a November 2023 hearing.
..... Mullin said he and O-Brien, who attended the hearing, have since become friends.
..... After the public hearing closed, Paul said Mullin would meet with lawmakers privately to address questions about a classified trip he took as a House member in 2017. Peters said the FBI found no record of a classified trip at the Defense or State departments. Mullin said it was classified as "a special program inside the House."
..... "It's confusing to us," said Paul, who said he had "qualms and problems" with the nomination.
..... Still, Paul tentatively scheduled a speedy committee vote on Mullin's nomination for March 19. [2026]