Rand Paul Opposes Trump DHS Pick Mullin Over ‘Anger Issues’

Markwayne Mullin during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee confirmation hearing in Washington on March 18.Photographer: Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg

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By Alicia Diaz, Matt Shirley, and Zahra Hirji

March 18, 2026 at 2:05 PM UTC

Updated on

March 18, 2026 at 8:42 PM UTC

The Republican chairman overseeing hearings on Senator Markwayne Mullin’s nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security blasted the Oklahoma Republican for “anger issues,” arguing they disqualified him from leading an agency enmeshed in controversy over aggressive tactics.

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul scolded Mullin at a confirmation hearing Wednesday for publicly applauding a neighbor’s assault on Paul that put him in the hospital and for “brawling” at another Senate hearing. He later said he’d oppose confirming Mullin.