Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) is quickly gaining bipartisan support to lead the Department of Homeland Security, with the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee planning to hold a confirmation hearing as early as Wednesday.
A White House statement highlighting the widespread support for Mullin declares that he is a “proven champion of border security, a fierce defender of American sovereignty, and a pragmatic leader with deep experience tackling national security threats,” making him “exactly the right person to build upon the Department’s record-setting successes in protecting the homeland under President Trump’s leadership.”
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), a member of the Homeland Security Committee + Ranking Member of Subcommittee on Border Security, said that while he is unsure “how many fellow Democrats will vote to support our colleague [Mullin],” he is “AYE.”
President Trump tapped Mullin for the role upon moving Kristi Noem to be the Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas.
“I am pleased to announce that the Highly Respected United States Senator from the Great State of Oklahoma, Markwayne Mullin, will become the United States Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), effective March 31, 2026,” he wrote on Truth Social.
Responding to Trump’s comments, Mullin said, “As a kid from Westville, it has been the greatest honor and privilege to serve the people of Oklahoma for the past thirteen years in both the House and Senate.”
“I am grateful to President Trump for nominating me to lead the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. I look forward to earning the support of my colleagues in the Senate and carrying out President Trump’s mission alongside the department’s many capable agencies and the thousands of patriots who keep us safe every day.”
