‘Temperament matters’: Senators question Homeland Security nominee at confirmation hearing
WASHINGTON— At Wednesday’s Senate hearing to consider the confirmation of Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) as Homeland Security secretary, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) began by asking whether “a man with anger issues” could set the right example for federal immigration officials.
Mullin, President Trump’s pick to replace Secretary Kristi Noem, faced tough questions before the Senate Homeland Security Committee about how the administration will handle mass deportation efforts and how she will guide the agency after the controversies that led to Noem’s firing earlier this month.
Mullin said he would work to ensure a safe homeland while also “bringing peace and security to the agency.”
“My goal in six months is not to be in the main story every day,” he said.
Throughout the hearing, Democrats scrutinized Noem as they scrutinized Mullin’s character and ability to lead the nation’s largest law enforcement agency. Most Republicans portrayed Mullin as a good man and a hard worker, while chastising Democrats for punishing federal employees over the continued funding of Homeland Security.
The leadership change comes amid intense scrutiny over her immigration enforcement tactics, which has intensified since last year after two protesters were shot and killed by immigration officers in Minneapolis, which Noem has called — without evidence — domestic terrorism.
He was fired days after testifying before congressional oversight committees, facing criticism from both Republicans and Democrats in the process.
“It is not the secretary’s job to be a cable news commentator in the wake of a crisis,” said Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.). “This is a role where temperament matters, judgment matters and experience matters.
“Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, we have seen how deficiencies in these traits can compound the challenges that come with leading an already large and complex department, and now more than ever, we need a DHS secretary who will provide steady leadership, follow the facts, tell the truth, and hold agency officials accountable when necessary.”
Paul brought up the events to show why Mullin wasn’t cut out for the job; these included the time he nearly got into a fight in a Senate hearing room in 2023 and, more recently, when Mullin called Paul.a crazy snake.”
Paul also countered Mullin, saying he “completely understands” why Paul was attacked by a neighbor in 2017, resulting in six broken ribs and a lung injury.
Mullin did not apologize for his remarks and instead accused Paul of defaming his character.
“I’ve worked with a lot of people in this room,” Mullin told Paul. “It looks like you’re fighting the Republicans rather than working with us.”
But Mullin added that his personal differences wouldn’t stop him from doing his job — “this is bigger than partisan bickering” — and asked Paul to let him earn his respect.
Paul looked motionless. Citing a 2023 near-fight with International Brotherhood of Teamsters president Sean O’Brien, Paul asked Mullin to “explain to the American public how a man who has no regrets about fighting in a Senate committee can set an appropriate example.”
Mullin was prepared for that moment: O’Brien was sitting behind him. He said the union president had become a close friend.
“We both agreed that we could do things differently,” Mullin said.
