How Homeland Security could change under Markwayne Mullin

CBS News
March 18, 2026
3 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma had a confirmation hearing for Homeland Security secretary.

AI Summary

Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma appeared before the Senate for his confirmation hearing Wednesday as Trump's nominee for Homeland Security secretary. Mullin, a Republican businessman and senator, would oversee the department responsible for border security, immigration enforcement, and disaster response if confirmed. His nomination reflects the Trump administration's focus on hardline immigration and border control policies. The hearing is a critical step in the confirmation process, requiring Senate approval before he can assume the position. Mullin's background in business and his positions on immigration enforcement will likely shape how the department operates over the next two years.

What's Being Done

Sen. Markwayne Mullin had a confirmation hearing for Homeland Security secretary on Wednesday.

Source Coverage Map

14 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

33% coverage
Did Not Cover (29)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP News96AP US News96ProPublica95+24 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Sen. Mullin faces confirmation hearing to lead Homeland Security Department
Politics

Sen. Mullin faces confirmation hearing to lead Homeland Security Department

Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin faces questions from his fellow senators at his confirmation hearing to lead the Department of Homeland Security,

NPRMar 18
WATCH LIVE: Sen. Markwayne Mullin testifies in confirmation hearing for DHS secretary
Politics

WATCH LIVE: Sen. Markwayne Mullin testifies in confirmation hearing for DHS secretary

Mullin, President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security, will testify in a confirmation hearing Wednesday before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

PBS NewsHourMar 17
Sen. Markwayne Mullin's secret war zone past
Politics

Sen. Markwayne Mullin's secret war zone past

<p>Sen. <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/05/markwayne-mullin-homeland-security-secretary-nominee" target="_blank">Markwayne Mullin</a> (R-Okla.) has privately hinted to colleagues that he was involved in dangerous private security work in Middle East war zones before running for Congress in 2012, according to three people who have heard him discuss it.</p><p><strong>Why it matters:</strong> It's a mystery likely to come up Wednesday at his Senate confirmation hearing, where he will face colleagues as <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/05/kristi-noem-trump-fired-moved" target="_blank">President Trump's nominee</a> to replace Kristi Noem as Homeland Security secretary.</p><hr><ul><li>There's no public record of Mullin — a former professional mixed martial arts fighter who sold his family's plumbing business in 2021 — doing the kind of security work he has alluded to in private.</li><li>But to former colleagues in the House, and on several other occasions, Mullin has suggeste...

AxiosMar 18
Markwayne Mullin, Trump’s Homeland Security Pick, Got Wealthier Stock Trading in Congress
Politics

Markwayne Mullin, Trump’s Homeland Security Pick, Got Wealthier Stock Trading in Congress

Markwayne Mullin’s financial dealings take on new importance as the Senate considers his nomination to lead an agency whose budget has vastly expanded.

New York TimesMar 15
Trump’s homeland security pick Mullin is poised to inherit a department beset by challenges - AP News
Politics

Trump’s homeland security pick Mullin is poised to inherit a department beset by challenges - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqwFBVV95cUxQU0xXdTZJZTJlcC1HYVdMbHY5WF9MUEpNS1BXSjMxOU8tMldaSlpPSzY0aHBWTzhjNG41Nk4yOXgyWF9TUzJlcnNoRENEVl9VdjljTDBlREczak1XNUlTQ0cyTEdrcUE0aHR6bkZSVkpYRWEtbmFXQVdreVRfUHEydEV5NFp0Wm1hTXRpLXZVak9GS3RmT09qaThGazhBY084TVF3bWl1cFJnZk0?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump’s homeland security pick Mullin is poised to inherit a department beset by challenges</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 17
Trump endorses Hern for Mullin’s Oklahoma Senate seat
Politics

Trump endorses Hern for Mullin’s Oklahoma Senate seat

President Trump has decided who he would like to see replace Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), his pick to become the next Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary, in the Senate. Trump offered Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), who launched a bid for the seat this week, his endorsement in a Truth Social post on Friday, calling…

The HillMar 14
Read Next
Trump’s $10 billion TikTok ‘brokerage fee’ is just the tip of the iceberg
Politics

Trump’s $10 billion TikTok ‘brokerage fee’ is just the tip of the iceberg

Not only is this pay-to-play arrangement with the federal government unprecedented; it also smacks of possible corruption.

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources