Mullin heads into contentious DHS hearing as Democrats demand immigration overhaul

At his confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Senate Democrats said Sen., R-Okla., was his first hurdle in becoming the next Homeland Security chief. Markwayne is preparing to question Mullin.

Mullin’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee comes as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) remains closed due to Democrats’ push for tough reforms to the agency’s immigration enforcement operations.

Senate Democrats on the panel plan to use those requests to gauge Mullin’s willingness to make changes at the agency. Since the dismissal of current DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, they have argued that changes should go beyond personnel changes.

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“He’s made some pretty provocative statements that reflect his resistance to reform, and unless he has a clear explanation or even recants, he’s going to disqualify himself,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., told Fox News Digital.

Asked if he wanted assurances about changes to the agency, Blumenthal said Mullin “needs to make commitments to reform.”

“If it cannot commit to far-reaching and fundamental reform, it must be defeated and rejected,” he said.

Mullin is also joined by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who chairs the committee. He also has a cold relationship with. When asked how the trial would go, Paul said: “Come tomorrow, you’ll know more.”

Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., the top Democrat on the Homeland committee, said he plans to give Mullin a fair shake but has questions about his colleague’s views on how the agency could change with him at the helm.

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Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., speaks to the press outside the Senate chamber after the vote at the U.S. Capitol on February 27, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Getty Images)

“Of course, I would like to get his assessment of how he sees things right now and what he could change,” Peters told Fox News Digital. “That would be a reasonable range of questions.”

Given that President Donald Trump wants Mullin in and Noem out by March 31, Senate Republicans are rushing to move Mullin through the process. A confirmation hearing is the first step, and despite resistance from Democrats, Mullin will likely clear that hurdle and go to a full vote in the Senate later this month.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R.S.D.) said he and his leadership team were not trying to rally votes for Mullin, but noted that Democrats “will decide to turn on one of their colleagues in the Senate” after they get exactly what they want: to replace Noem.

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune speaks at a press conference with Senate Republican leaders following a policy luncheon on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on October 28, 2025. (Nathan Posner/Anatolia via Getty Images)

“They have good, strong relationships on the other side of the aisle,” Thune said. “I mean, that’s what the Democrats were crying out for. They wanted another change and shakeup in leadership, and now it’s happening.”

Although Mullin will face a hearing that will test his relationship with colleagues across the aisle, he has at least one fellow Democrat on the committee.

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Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who almost immediately announced his support for Mullin’s nomination, said he was still in talks with the legislature about reforms to DHS. Fetterman planned to meet with Mullin before the hearing.

“Is it controversial to talk to members of the opposing party? It may be controversial to some people, but it’s going to be an ongoing dialogue with that,” Fetterman said. “You know, I said it, he’s a good guy and I’ve gotten to know him over the years at CODEL.”