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By Adeola Adeosun
Weekend Night Editor
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The Senate confirmed Republican Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) late Monday in a 54-45 vote, approving President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the embattled agency after the firing of former Secretary Kristi Noem amid public backlash over the administration's immigration enforcement and mass deportation tactics.
Democratic Senators John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico crossed party lines to support the nomination, while Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky was the sole GOP member to vote against it. Senator Ruben Gallego, Democrat of Arizona, did not vote.
Why It Matters
Mullin takes over a department in significant turmoil. Routine DHS funding has lapsed since February 14, triggering long wait times at U.S. airports as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents call out rather than work without pay.
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The president has also ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to bolster airport security during the budget standoff. Democrats have conditioned support for a funding deal on changes to immigration enforcement following the fatal shootings by federal agents of Alex Pretti and Renee Good—two U.S. citizens killed in Minneapolis—and talks have stalled after Trump rejected the latest proposal.
Fetterman's vote was particularly consequential. It was his support at the committee level last week that allowed Mullin's nomination to advance over Paul's opposition in an 8-7 vote, making his final floor vote a continuation of a pattern that has deepened fractures within the Democratic Party.
What To Know
Trump tapped Mullin less than three weeks ago to replace Noem, whose tenure was marked by accusations of officers using excessive force to arrest immigrants, detaining them in squalid conditions and bypassing due process in rapid deportations. Mullin, a former mixed martial arts fighter and collegiate wrestler known for his loyalty to Trump and close friendships across the aisle, has pitched himself as a stabilizing force. He reportedly has said his goal as secretary is to get the department "off the front page of the news."
At his confirmation hearing, Mullin walked back some past comments, saying he was wrong to malign Pretti after he was shot and killed by an ICE officer. He also said that as secretary, officers would be required to use a judge-signed warrant—rather than the administrative warrants currently used by ICE—to enter a home except in rare circumstances. He acknowledged community concerns over large ICE detention facilities and said cutting federal funds to sanctuary jurisdictions would be a last resort.
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Mullin also addressed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), rejecting the idea of eliminating the agency and saying he would revoke Noem's policy of personally approving contracts over $100,000—a rule critics said slowed disaster response.
Heinrich's vote came despite his lengthy record of opposition to DHS under both Trump administrations. He voted against Noem's confirmation, repeatedly demanded her firing, and has stated he will "not vote to give another dollar to ICE until they are committed to the rule of law."
This month, Heinrich backed Senate Democrats' repeated attempts to fund DHS components not tied to immigration enforcement—including TSA, FEMA, and the U.S. Coast Guard—all of which were blocked by Senate Republicans. Heinrich cited his personal relationship with Mullin and New Mexico's unique border terrain as central to his decision, saying he wanted a secretary he could call for a constructive conversation about his state.
Paul, who chairs the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, voted against Mullin over concerns about his temperament, pointing to comments in which Mullin called Paul a "snake," said he "understood" why Paul's neighbor physically attacked him in 2017, and a 2023 Senate hearing in which Mullin appeared ready to physically fight a witness.
What People Are Saying
Mullin, via X earlier this month: "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.
"President Trump ran on restoring law and order, and he quickly delivered the most secure U.S. border in American history. I look forward to supporting @POTUS' mission to safeguard the American people and defend the homeland."
Fetterman, in a statement last week on his previous vote: "In January, I called on the president to fire Noem—and he did. I truly approached the confirmation of my colleague and friend, Senator Mullin, with an open-mind. We need a leader at DHS. We must reopen DHS. My AYE is rooted in a strong committed, constructive working relationship with Senator Mullin for our nation’s security."
Heinrich, in a statement released Sunday: "This is going to surprise some people, but I consider Markwayne Mullin a friend. We have a very honest and constructive working relationship. We have authored legislation together, such as the Tribal Buffalo Management Act, and we crafted the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill together this year. We often disagree and when we do, we work to find whatever common ground we share."
Political scientist Don Moynihan, on Bluesky: “Fetterman literally giving Mullin the key vote to be appointed will be something I suspect will be an issue if he runs for re-election.”
Senator Jacky Rosen, Nevada Democrat, via X: "After Kristi Noem’s disastrous time as Secretary of Homeland Security, we need a steady, level-headed leader who will focus on protecting our homeland while ensuring ICE officers follow the same standards as other law enforcement officials.
"Markwayne Mullin has made clear his number one priority is pleasing Donald Trump, including by voting against paying TSA agents during this Republican shutdown. That’s unacceptable and it’s one of the reasons why I voted against him as Secretary of Homeland Security."
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican, via X: "Congratulations to Secretary Markwayne Mullin on his confirmation by the U.S. Senate to lead the Department of Homeland Security. As an Oklahoman, he has been a steadfast fighter for our state and a strong voice for securing our nation.
"I have every confidence he will bring Oklahoma common sense and a deep commitment to law and order to President Trump’s cabinet and to DHS."
...
What Happens Next
Mullin's resignation from his Oklahoma U.S. Senate seat was announced just before the chamber adjourned for the night, with his letter of resignation to be included in the Congressional Record.
Democrats are pushing for immigration officers to identify themselves, refrain from enforcement near sensitive locations, wear body cameras and obtain judge-approved warrants before entering private spaces.
Update 3/26/26, 9:54 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.
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