From Politico: In replacing ousted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Donald Trump is opting for one of the more reliable strategies to guarantee a quick Senate confirmation — nominating a senator.
Trump’s choice of Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma sets up a relatively straightforward process, with some Senate Democrats already indicating they are open to voting for him.
“We’ve been successful at whipping everybody the president has nominated, and I expect the same for Markwayne Mullin,” Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, the No. 2 Senate Republican, said Thursday.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune separately told reporters that he wanted to move Mullin’s nomination “quickly.” Trump did not indicate in his Truth Social post when he would send Mullin’s nomination to the Senate, but said he would take over “effective March 31.”
Reportedly, despite Mullin’s sometimes aggressive “fighter” style, he has become known as a peacemaker in Congress, and has support from multiple Democrats.
Moderate Republican Lisa Murkowski, who often votes with Democrats, indicated she will support Mullin.
“He has been a really good liaison between the Senate, actually the whole Congress, and the White House,” Murkowski is quoted as saying. “I’ve got strong respect for the guy, so I think he’ll do a good job.”
The only Republican who may not support Mullin is Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.), who Mullin recently called “a snake.”
Democrat Sen. Peter Welch (VT) praised Mullin during a CNN interview and said he has no doubt Mullin will be confirmed.
“He’ll be confirmed. The question is whether there’ll be bipartisan support for him. Markwayne Mullin is competent, and he’s honest. So those are two good things that Kristi Noem did not have,” Welch told CNN’s Kasie Hunt.
“He’s respected, he’s honest and he’s competent,” Welch continued. “So the issue, I think, with Markwayne is going to be much more about the policy and what he is going to be offering us as we look ahead, rather than his personal qualities. Because people respect Markwayne.”
🚨NEW: Dem Sen. Peter Welch *PRAISES* Markwayne Mullin after Trump tapped him to replace Kristi Noem as DHS Chief🚨
“He’ll be CONFIRMED … Markwayne is RESPECTED, he’s HONEST and he’s COMPETENT.”@DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/IvlXB05qDo
— Jason Cohen 🇺🇸 (@JasonJournoDC) March 5, 2026
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) announced he was on board to support Mullin, almost immediately after he heard Trump had tapped him for the role of DHS Secretary.
“As a member of the Homeland Security Committee + Ranking Member of Subcommittee on Border Security: I’m not sure how many fellow Democrats will vote to support our colleague @SenMullin as the next DHS Secretary, but I am AYE,” Fetterman wrote.
As a member of the Homeland Security Committee + Ranking Member of Subcommittee on Border Security:
I’m not sure how many fellow Democrats will vote to support our colleague @SenMullin as the next DHS Secretary, but I am AYE.
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) March 5, 2026
In another example of how Mullin can win people over, he has even received the endorsement of Teamsters president Sean O’Brien, who nearly got in a fist-fight with him about three years ago during a heated confrontation at a hearing.
“If anyone is willing to stand their butt up to protect America, it’s Markwayne Mullin,” O’Brien said in a statement Thursday.
WATCH:
Best endorsement of all time! Teamsters Pres Sean O’Brien stands up for Sen Mullin’s nomination as DHS Sec, 3 years after challenging Mullin to stand his butt up at a Senate committee hearing. pic.twitter.com/osk3xXBRqR
— David Asman (@DavidAsmanfox) March 5, 2026
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