DHS fires back at Jimmy Kimmel for mocking Sec. Mullin’s plumbing past
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The Department of Homeland Security has fired back at comedian Jimmy Kimmel, accusing the late-night host of mocking Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s blue-collar roots.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, a DHS spokesperson defended Mullin’s journey from family plumber to the president’s cabinet.
“Secretary Mullin represents the best of blue-collar America, and failed comedian Jimmy Kimmel chooses to mock him for it,” the agency said.
The dispute began after Kimmel mocked Mullin’s qualifications on his show last week. He compared the former senator’s qualities to those of the famous Nintendo character Mario, who is a plumber.
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President Donald Trump shakes hands with newly sworn in Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin during a ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House on March 24 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
“Former senator from Oklahoma. Markwayne Mullin was a low-level MMA fighter and plumber before he was elected to the Senate. That’s right. Now we have a plumber protecting us from terrorism. He worked for Super Mario. Why not Markwayne?” Kimmel said.
Mullin went to college on a wrestling scholarship before taking over his family’s plumbing business when his father became ill. Before becoming Secretary of Homeland Security, Mullin represented Oklahoma in the House and Senate for more than a decade.
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“In what other country could a young plumber from rural Oklahoma one day get fed up, run for Congress, serve his community in the House and Senate, and then be called to serve in the president’s cabinet to protect his homeland,” DHS added.
ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. (Randy Holmes/Disney via Getty Images)
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Kimmel defended his original comments on Thursday and directly addressed the backlash during his monologue.
Kimmel accused conservative commentators of twisting his words and claiming he wasn’t trying to insult plumbers, saying, “Let me be clear, I’m not upset that the head of Homeland Security used to be a plumber. I’m upset that he’s still not a plumber.”
Markwayne Mullin looks on during his confirmation hearing to serve as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on March 18, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Mullin was later confirmed to the position. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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“I wouldn’t call in a plumber from Homeland Security for the same reason I wouldn’t call in a five-star general to get a mouse out of my toilet. OK? We all have our areas of expertise,” Kimmel added.
The DHS statement also noted President Donald Trump’s comments on “The Five” on Thursday, in which he described Mullin as a “smart country” and respected. Mullin was sworn in as DHS chief last week after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
A representative for Kimmel did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
