After months of incompetence and corruption that left Americans dead, Kristi Noem was fired. Americans had every right to hope the next person in charge of keeping this country safe would actually be up to the job.
Instead, Donald Trump nominated Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, whose record suggests he is not only unqualified for this moment but also a genuine danger to public safety.
The Department of Homeland Security oversees immigration enforcement, disaster response, cybersecurity, and counterterrorism. American families are counting on whoever is nominated to lead the department to be serious, stable, and honest. Mullin is none of those things, and the red flags concerning his nomination are everywhere.
Mullin Does Not Have the Temperament to Lead DHS.
- When ICE agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old American citizen and lawful gun owner, in Minneapolis, Mullin immediately went on Fox News and called him a “deranged individual.”
- When Renee Good was shot after a confrontation with ICE agents, Mullin defended the shooting on national television, saying her vehicle was a lethal weapon. He even told Americans that if they do not want to be in harm’s way, they should stay out of the way of federal agents.
- In a Senate hearing in 2023, Mullin stood up from the dais, began removing his ring, and challenged a witness to a physical fight. Mullin then went on a podcast and bragged that he would bite his opponent in a fight, saying, “I’ll do anything. I’m not above it, and I don’t care where I bite.”
- Mullin suggested Congress should bring back dueling and canings.
- Just this year, Mullin posted to social media that there would be less “fake news” if reporters could still be subjected to physical violence.
Not only is Mullin not troubled by the deaths that occurred under Sec. Noem’s leadership defended them, enthusiastically, on camera, even before the investigations were complete. This is who Trump wants controlling federal law enforcement agencies with guns, detention facilities, and the power to deploy force against American civilians.
Mullin Can Not Be Trusted With American Elections.
- Mullin voted to overturn the certified election results in Pennsylvania and Arizona, and said that he could not accept that Joe Biden won the 2020 election.
- Mullin told his constituents that the 2020 election was not “honest” and that Jan. 6th was an opportunity to overturn the results.
- Mullin blamed Democrats and the media for the violent January 6th insurrection.
- As recently as last year, Mullin said he supported having “security” at polling locations.
Mullin’s record shows he’ll do and say anything to help Trump and MAGA Republicans stay in power. If Trump wants federal agents deployed to polling places on Election Day, all signs show that he’ll do it without resistance or delay.
Mullin Is Not Honest and Profits From Crises.
- Mullin violated the STOCK Act by disclosing hundreds of thousands of dollars in stock and bond trades up to two and a half years late.
- Five days before the Trump administration launched military action against Venezuela, Mullin purchased tens of thousands of dollars in stock in Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and defense contractor RTX. By the time he was nominated to lead DHS, Mullin’s investments had returned gains of up to 30 percent.
- During the pandemic, Mullin had $1.4 million in PPP loans forgiven.
- Mullin has repeatedly insinuated in public remarks that he has experienced combat, speaking about the smell and feel of war firsthand. He has never served a single day in the military.
Instead of focusing on delivering for his constituents, Mullin has used his position in Congress and D.C. connections to enrich himself, all while Americans struggle to make ends meet, and service members are sent to war.
“At a time when the country faces real crises, at home and abroad, American families need a Homeland Security Secretary who is competent, trustworthy, and accountable. Instead, Trump has nominated a man who lacks both the temperament and the integrity necessary for the role,” said American Bridge 21st Century spokesperson Brandon Weathersby. “Markwayne Mullin is not a solution to the failures of Kristi Noem. Mullin is proof that the problem lies deep in MAGA Republicans who are more focused on pleasing Trump and enriching themselves than serving the American people. The Senate must reject his nomination and demand that Trump send a serious nominee to protect the homeland.”
Published: Mar 18, 2026 | Last Modified: Mar 19, 2026