18. March 2026
'Say That to My Face!': Sparks Fly Between Rand Paul and Trump DHS Pick Markwayne Mullin During Senate Confirmation Hearing
WASHINGTON-- Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security, faced a tense and often combative confirmation hearing Wednesday as lawmakers pressed him on his temperament, past remarks, and readiness to lead the agency during a volatile moment.
The hearing quickly turned confrontational. The U.S. is currently engaged in a war with Iran, while the Trump administration is also facing criticism over its immigration enforcement policies. Meanwhile, DHS has been grappling with funding issues after a lapse on Feb. 13 caused significant airport delays, with Congress still unable to reach a resolution.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who chairs the Senate Homeland Security Committee, opened with sharp criticism of Mullin, citing reports that Mullin had called him a “freaking snake” and expressed sympathy for the man who assaulted Paul in 2017.
“Tell me to my face why you think I deserved it,” Paul said, also referencing Mullin’s past challenge to a labor union leader during a 2023 hearing. “Explain to the American people why they should trust someone with anger issues to lead ICE and Border Patrol.”
Paul questioned whether Mullin was fit to oversee an agency that has faced scrutiny over its use of force, suggesting his past comments could undermine confidence in his leadership.
Mullin remained composed as Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., the committee’s ranking member, followed with a more measured but still skeptical assessment. Peters said he had concerns about Mullin’s preparedness to lead DHS at such a critical time and urged him to provide a candid evaluation of the administration’s performance.
Mullin has been tapped to replace former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who was fired earlier this month after a turbulent tenure. Trump has set a target date of March 31 for Mullin to take over, pending Senate confirmation.
With Republicans holding 53 seats, Mullin is expected to have a viable path to confirmation, needing only a simple majority. However, his clash with Paul raised questions about whether he can secure unified support within his own party, which holds a narrow 8-7 majority on the committee.
Not all lawmakers signaled opposition. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., said he would keep “an open mind,” noting that his personal interactions with Mullin have been marked by “kindness and professionalism.”
When it was his turn to speak, Mullin pushed back on Paul’s accusations but did not deny making the remarks in question or offer an apology.
“I’m very blunt and direct,” Mullin said. “If I have something to say, I’ll say it to your face.” He added that he and Paul simply “don’t get along,” and suggested the Kentucky senator clashes more often with fellow Republicans than he collaborates with them.
Mullin rejected the idea that he supports political violence. “I don’t think anybody should be hit by surprise. I don’t like that,” he said, adding, “Let me earn your respect. I’m not perfect.”
A former House member, Mullin has served in the Senate since 2023.
During the hearing, he also addressed past comments about a fatal encounter involving DHS agents and a Minnesota man, Alex Pretti, whom Mullin had previously described as a “deranged individual.”
“Those words should have been retracted. I shouldn’t have said that,” Mullin acknowledged under questioning from Peters. “I responded too quickly without the facts. That’s my fault.”
Mullin said he regrets those remarks and would “absolutely” apologize if ongoing investigations contradict his earlier statements. However, he stood by separate comments calling the shooting of another Minnesota protester, Renee Good, “absolutely justified.”
The hearing underscored the challenges Mullin faces as he seeks confirmation, with scrutiny coming from both sides of the aisle at a time when DHS is under heightened pressure, both domestically and abroad.