Trump DHS Pick Mullin Confirmation Advances Through Senate Panel

Senator Rand Paul, a Republican, challenges fellow Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin, the nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security, about his “anger issues.” Paul questions if Mullin has the right temperament for the job during his confirmation hearing.Source: Bloomberg

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By Alicia Diaz

March 19, 2026 at 1:47 PM UTC

President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security advanced through a Senate committee Thursday despite opposition from the panel’s chair, Rand Paul, who argued nominee Markwayne Mullin’s “anger issues” made him unfit to lead an agency under fire for aggressive tactics.

Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania joined the rest of the committee’s Republicans in supporting Mullin, 48, a first-term GOP senator from Oklahoma and former mixed martial arts fighter. Fetterman said in a social media post that his support for Mullin “is rooted in a strong committed, constructive working relationship” that is focused on the nation’s security.