In a 54-45 vote Monday evening, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma as the next Secretary of Homeland Security.
This comes after President Donald Trump announced on Thursday, March 5, that he had moved DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to serve in another role in his administration, and had tapped Mullin to serve as the next DHS Secretary.
Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) was the lone Republican to oppose Mullin’s nomination.
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) reportedly didn’t vote.
Two Democrats — Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico — voted along with Republicans to advance Mullin’s nomination to a final confirmation vote on Sunday, and again crossed the aisle to support him Monday evening.
“This is going to surprise some people, but I consider Markwayne Mullin a friend. We have a very honest and constructive working relationship,” Heinrich said in a statement on Sunday.
Sen. James Lankford, a fellow Republican from Oklahoma, announced Mullin’s confirmation as the new DHS Secretary.
Mullin is expected to begin his new role at DHS by the end of the month.
🚨 IT’S OFFICIAL: Markwayne Mullin has just been CONFIRMED as President Trump’s DHS Secretary in a 54-45 vote
The Democrats who crossed over:
– John Fetterman (PA)
– Martin Heinrich (NM)RAND PAUL (R-KY) voted against
The chamber ERUPTED in applause! pic.twitter.com/4yuOAVIksD
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 24, 2026
Congratulations to Markwayne Mullin on being confirmed as Secretary of DHS.
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) March 24, 2026
Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) announced: “Markwayne Mullin is dedicated to @POTUS’ promise to secure our borders and tackling illegal immigration. His commitment to the mission and experience as a legislator will be strong assets to @DHSgov and the thousands of patriots who work every day to keep our country safe. I look forward to working with him in his new role to deliver results at the northern and southern borders and for every American who relies on the Department of Homeland Security.”
Markwayne Mullin is dedicated to @POTUS‘ promise to secure our borders and tackling illegal immigration. His commitment to the mission and experience as a legislator will be strong assets to @DHSgov and the thousands of patriots who work every day to keep our country safe. I look… pic.twitter.com/4o4i6obqKd
— Senator Kevin Cramer (@SenKevinCramer) March 24, 2026
BACKGROUND ON MARKWAYNE MULLIN
Mullin, 48, grew up in the small town of Westville, Oklahoma, and is a member of the Cherokee Nation, and was a professional mixed martial arts fighter between 2006 and 2007. He left college in 1998 to take over his family’s plumbing business, after his father’s health failed, and grew the business into the largest plumbing service company in Oklahoma by 2011.
Mullin has served in the Senate since January 2023, having won the seat in a special election. He was running for re-election in the 2026 midterms. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said he will appoint someone else to fill the remainder of Mullin’s term.
Mullin previously served in the Oklahoma State House of Representatives from 2013-2023.
He and his wife have 6 children, including two adopted twin girls. He is a successful businessman, and a former martial arts fighter champion. In 2021, Mullin reported that his personal assets were between $31.6 million and $75.6 million.
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