The Oklahoma Republican will succeed Kristi Noem as head of the key agency that oversees airport security, counterterrorism programs, the Coast Guard and immigration enforcement.
Markwayne Mullin confirmed to replace Kristi Noem as DHS Secretary
The Senate, with the help of two Democrats, confirmed Markwayn Mullin to replace Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security.
WASHINGTON – The Senate on March 23, with the support of two Democratic senators, confirmed Markwayne Mullin to replace Kristi Noem as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
Oklahoma’s hardline Republican senator is now tasked with steering not only a key federal agency amid a growing crisis, but also immigration policy from a White House that increasingly recognizes that hardline enforcement policies are a political liability — in a midterm year in which the president’s party’s control of Congress may be in jeopardy.
The largely partisan vote of 54-45 broke precedent, as senators from both parties have historically shown at least some respect for their colleagues in the Legislature by supporting Cabinet nominees. It was a stark reminder that Congress is stubbornly polarized, especially on immigration-related issues.
All Republican senators except Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky voted to confirm Mullin. Mullin is a former mixed martial arts fighter who ran a multimillion-dollar plumbing business before he was first elected to Congress more than a decade ago.
Relations between Paul and his colleagues soured after he expressed sympathy for the attacker who left him with broken ribs and lung damage several years ago. During Marin’s confirmation hearing, Paul, chairman of the Senate committee that oversees DHS, called Marin “a man with anger issues.”
“I question whether someone who celebrates violence against political opponents is the right person to lead a government agency that has struggled to accept limits on the appropriate use of force,” Paul said.
Two Democrats voted to confirm Mullin, including Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico. Heinrich said in a written statement that “this may come as a surprise to some people,” but he considers Marin a friend.
“I’ve also seen firsthand that Mark Wayne is not just someone who can be bullied into changing his opinion,” he said. “I look forward to having a secretary in office who doesn’t follow[Trump adviser]Stephen Miller’s orders.”
Homeland Security remains closed as negotiations heat up
The agency headed by Marin has been partially closed for about six weeks.
After the killings of two Minnesotans by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents in January, Democrats refused to fully fund DHS (the 9/11-era Cabinet agency to which these departments fell) until the White House agreed to reforms. Funded by other cash reserves, ICE and Customs and Border Protection continue to operate.
After a period of relative calm, the effects of the shutdown appear to be worsening dramatically by the day. Operations at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), part of DHS, are rapidly evolving as unpaid workers call in sick with increasing frequency. Hundreds of employees have permanently resigned, leading to snaking security lines at airports across the country. Negotiations aimed at restarting DHS have become more active in recent days amid difficult circumstances.
Marin, a close friend of President Donald Trump and a lawmaker adept at manipulating the balance of power in Congress between the House and Senate, has cast himself as the man needed to right the ship. Although he is an immigration hardliner, he has been resourceful in keeping lawmakers informed about Homeland Security activities.
He also said during his Senate confirmation hearing that under his leadership, ICE would not conduct immigration raids without a judicial warrant. This concession has become a major sticking point in negotiations to end the DHS shutdown, and the White House has yet to publicly agree to it.
“We will not enter a home or business without a judicial warrant, unless we are pursuing an individual,” he told lawmakers.
Zachary Schermele is a Congressional reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach me by email at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and on Bluesky at @zachschermele.bsky.social..
