Markwayne Mullin was appointed as Homeland Security Secretary on Thursday, according to multiple reports. The New York Times indicates he was a little surprised by his appointment, but he is expected to be confirmed by the US Senate. At a press conference, Mullin expressed pride in his background and commitment to winning votes, according to media reports.
Mullin succeeds Kristi Noem, who was controversially and surprisingly dismissed. According to the New York Times, Mullin is popular in the Senate, unlike Noem. CNN, citing the White House, reports that Noem faced tough questioning from Republican senators this week, and subsequent criticism likely contributed to her dismissal, though the specific reasons for her removal have not been disclosed.
Mullin, 48, is a Republican, a father of six from the Midwest, down-to-earth, conservative, and very loyal to Trump, as described by CNN anchorwoman Dana Bash. He is the only indigenous senator in the US Senate and an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation. Bash notes that Mullin is very proud of his ancestry and has repeatedly told her about his Cherokee grandfather. Media reports indicate he describes himself more as a businessman and ranch operator and represents a strongly business-friendly line.
Mullin engages in politics out of a sense of duty and distrusts government regulation, according to multiple reports. In his home state, he is seen by many voters as a down-to-earth representative of rural Oklahoma—direct, unpolished, and with a distinct accent. He grew up on a ranch in Oklahoma, initially took over the family's plumbing and trade business, and successfully expanded the company. Before entering politics, Mullin fought as a mixed martial arts athlete and remained, according to his own statements.
As Homeland Security Secretary, Mullin would be responsible for ICE operations, among other things, after Noem. ICE operations recently made headlines, including with the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, which Noem had defended, though the exact details of these incidents are unclear. It remains unknown how Mullin's policies will differ from Noem's regarding immigration and border security.
During lunch with another senator on Thursday, Mullin abruptly got up and left the table with a full plate, according to the other senator. The timeline for his Senate confirmation process has not been specified, and details about his specific business and ranch operations are not provided in available reports.