Trending Now - Markwayne Mullin Faces Senate Scrutiny in DHS Confirmation Hearing

WHO:

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, President Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Homeland Security.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Abigail Jackson, White House spokeswoman.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, President Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Homeland Security.

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., who stated, “We’ve got serious management problems at DHS, and we need somebody steering the ship.”

Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., who expressed reservations about Mullin's readiness for the role.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who stated that Mullin "needs to make commitments for reform."

Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, who said, “I like Markwayne personally, but I don’t think it’s a question of who is at the helm, it’s a question of law.”

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, nominated by President Trump to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

Kristi Noem, the outgoing Secretary of Homeland Security, who was fired earlier in March 2026.

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., who stated, “We’ve got serious management problems at DHS, and we need somebody steering the ship.”

Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., who expressed reservations about Mullin's readiness for the role.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, 48, has been in the Senate since 2023 after representing Oklahoma in the House for a decade.

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., expressed his intention to support Mullin's confirmation.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, nominated by President Trump to lead the Department of Homeland Security

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., who stated, “We’ve got serious management problems at DHS, and we need somebody steering the ship.”

John Sandweg, former acting director at ICE during the Obama administration, who commented on Mullin's need to balance pressures regarding enforcement operations.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, nominated by President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Homeland Security

Kristi Noem, outgoing Secretary of Homeland Security, who was fired earlier in March 2026

Senator Markwayne Mullin, nominated as the next Secretary of Homeland Security

Kristi Noem, outgoing Secretary of Homeland Security

President Donald Trump, who backed Noem

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La.

John Sandweg, former acting director at ICE during the Obama administration

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.

Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii

Karen Langdon, spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Association

Sarah Labowitz, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

WHAT:

Mullin stated, “We have to get DHS funded. We have to, my friends. We have to set the partisan side down. And we have to realize that we’re putting our homeland and the peace of mind at risk for the American people.”

The National Border Patrol Council endorsed Mullin for the role of DHS Secretary, urging the Senate Committee to swiftly pass his nomination.

Mullin emphasized the need to restore funding to DHS, stating, “We should all be trying to fund them.”

The confirmation hearing for Mullin is scheduled for March 18th, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. EDT.

Over 100,000 employees at DHS are furloughed or working without pay due to the ongoing funding lapse.

The Trump-appointed FEMA Review Council, chaired by Noem, is months behind in releasing a highly anticipated recommendation report.

There are still over $2.2 billion in recovery and mitigation projects awaiting DHS approval as of March 17th, 2026.

The impasse has created a significant staffing headache at airports, with hundreds of TSA officers quitting their jobs while others call out sick as they go without pay during the shutdown.

The shooting deaths of two protesters in Minneapolis by federal officers sparked calls for reform at immigration enforcement agencies.

Mullin has expressed skepticism of a federal disaster response in the past, stating, “It’s not FEMA that’s going to respond... we’re going to be fighting with FEMA to get reimbursed if they ever do reimburse.”

The confirmation hearing for Mullin is scheduled for March 18th, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. EDT.

Over 100,000 employees at DHS are furloughed or working without pay due to the ongoing funding lapse.

The Trump-appointed FEMA Review Council, chaired by Noem, is months behind in releasing a highly anticipated recommendation report.

There are still over $2.2 billion in recovery and mitigation projects awaiting DHS approval as of March 17th, 2026.

The confirmation hearing for Mullin is scheduled for March 18th, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. EDT.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated that Mullin only needs a simple majority from the full chamber to be confirmed as DHS secretary.

The Homeland Security Committee could vote as soon as March 19th, 2026, to advance Mullin's nomination.

Mullin's confirmation hearing is scheduled for March 18th, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. EDT.

There are over $2.2 billion in recovery and mitigation projects awaiting DHS approval as of March 17th, 2026.

The Trump-appointed FEMA Review Council, chaired by Noem, is months behind in releasing a highly anticipated recommendation report.

Mullin's confirmation hearing is scheduled for March 18th, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. EDT.

There are over $2.2 billion in recovery and mitigation projects awaiting DHS approval as of March 17th, 2026.

Thousands of Homeland Security staffers are working without pay due to a monthlong funding lapse, including airport security screeners, leading to long security lines at some airports.

Mullin is expected to face challenges in immigration enforcement, disaster response, and funding issues at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

There are over $2.2 billion in recovery and mitigation projects awaiting DHS approval as of March 13th, 2026.

A monthlong funding battle in Congress has led to thousands of Homeland Security staffers working without pay, including airport security screeners.

Senate Democrats are demanding reforms at ICE, including a ban on masks worn by deportation officers and an end to roving patrols.

Mullin's confirmation hearing is scheduled for March 18th, 2026.

WHERE:

Washington, D.C., where the Department of Homeland Security is located

Minneapolis, where two protesters were shot by federal officers

WHEN:

The confirmation hearing for Mullin took place on March 18th, 2026.

The confirmation hearing is set for March 18th, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. EDT.

The funding lapse for DHS has lasted for a month as of March 17th, 2026.

Mullin's confirmation hearing is set for March 18th, 2026.

The funding lapse for DHS has lasted for a month as of March 17th, 2026.

The shooting deaths of two protesters occurred in 2025.

WHY:

Democrats are demanding reforms at ICE, including a ban on masks worn by deportation officers and a requirement for officers to use warrants signed by a judge to enter a person's house, before they approve more funding.

Senate Democrats are demanding reforms at ICE, including a ban on masks worn by deportation officers and a requirement for officers to use warrants signed by a judge to enter a person's house, before they approve more funding.

Democrats have insisted that changes must go beyond a shift in personnel, following the criticism of Noem's leadership.

Senate Democrats are demanding reforms at ICE, including a ban on masks worn by deportation officers and an end to roving patrols of officers looking for immigrants, before they approve more funding.

There is bipartisan scrutiny of Noem's leadership, which contributed to her firing.

There is significant public criticism of Trump's immigration approach, with most Americans stating he has “gone too far.”

The management style of Kristi Noem contributed to her downfall, leading to the need for a leadership change.

HOW:

Mullin is expected to be a faithful ally for Trump’s agenda if confirmed for the top job at DHS, focusing on immigration enforcement and disaster response.

Mullin is expected to improve relationships with Congress, where Republicans treated Noem with skepticism, and he is close to both House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.

Senate Democrats plan to use their demands for reforms to gauge Mullin’s willingness to make changes at the agency during his confirmation hearing.

Mullin is expected to improve relationships with Congress, where Republicans treated Noem with skepticism.

Mullin is expected to follow the White House's policy priorities and has been a strong supporter of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.

Noem enacted a policy requiring her personal approval for expenditures over $100,000, which critics argue delayed disaster recovery funds.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 17:20 UTC)

Today, during a confirmation hearing for Secretary of Homeland Security, Senator Markwayne Mullin emphasized the urgent need to fund the Department of Homeland Security, stating that partisan divides must be set aside to ensure the safety and peace of mind for Americans. The National Border Patrol Council has endorsed Mullin, urging the Senate Committee to swiftly pass his nomination, while Democrats are pushing for reforms at ICE before agreeing to any additional funding. If confirmed, Mullin is expected to align closely with Trump’s agenda, focusing on immigration enforcement and disaster response.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 15:20 UTC)

Today, President Trump's nominee for Secretary of Homeland Security, Senator Markwayne Mullin, is facing a confirmation hearing at 9:30 a.m. EDT, amid serious concerns from Senate Democrats about his readiness and the need for significant reforms at the Department of Homeland Security. With over 100,000 DHS employees either furloughed or working without pay due to a month-long funding lapse, the agency is struggling with staffing issues, particularly at airports, where many TSA officers are quitting or calling out sick. Senators have emphasized that any changes must extend beyond personnel shifts, as they demand reforms at immigration enforcement agencies, including stricter regulations on deportation practices.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 13:24 UTC)

Today, President Trump has nominated Senator Markwayne Mullin to lead the Department of Homeland Security, following the firing of Kristi Noem earlier this month. The confirmation hearing for Mullin is set for this morning at 9:30 a.m. EDT, as over 100,000 DHS employees remain furloughed or working without pay due to a funding lapse, and Senate Democrats are pushing for significant reforms before approving any additional funding. Mullin is expected to foster better relationships with Congress, particularly with key Republican leaders, as he steps into this critical role amid ongoing challenges at the department.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 11:15 UTC)

Today marks the confirmation hearing for Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who has been in the Senate since 2023 after a decade in the House, and is seeking to become the Secretary of Homeland Security. Senate Majority Leader John Thune noted that Mullin will only need a simple majority for confirmation, while Senate Democrats are pushing for reforms at ICE, including a ban on masks for deportation officers and a requirement for signed warrants before entering homes. As part of the process, Democrats plan to assess Mullin's commitment to these changes during the hearing, which is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. EDT.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 07:20 UTC)

Senator Markwayne Mullin has been nominated by Trump to lead the Department of Homeland Security, with his confirmation hearing set for today at 9:30 a.m. EDT. As of yesterday, there are over $2.2 billion in recovery and mitigation projects waiting for DHS approval, while Senate Democrats are pushing for reforms at ICE before agreeing to more funding. Mullin is anticipated to foster better relationships with Congress, having close ties to key Republican leaders like House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 01:30 UTC)

Senator Markwayne Mullin has been nominated by Trump to lead the Department of Homeland Security, following the firing of Kristi Noem earlier this month amid bipartisan scrutiny of her leadership. Mullin's confirmation hearing is set for today at 9:30 a.m. EDT, as over $2.2 billion in recovery and mitigation projects await DHS approval and thousands of staffers, including airport security screeners, continue to work without pay due to a monthlong funding lapse. With hopes of improving relationships with Congress, where Republicans were skeptical of Noem, Mullin's leadership could bring a new direction to the department.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 17:25 UTC)

Senator Markwayne Mullin has been nominated as the next Secretary of Homeland Security, taking over from Kristi Noem, who faced criticism for her management style and policies during her tenure. Mullin is expected to tackle significant challenges, including immigration enforcement and a backlog of over $2.2 billion in disaster recovery projects awaiting approval, while also dealing with the fallout from a monthlong funding battle that has left many Homeland Security staffers working without pay. His confirmation hearing is scheduled for tomorrow, March 18, 2026, as public scrutiny of Trump's immigration approach continues to grow.