Markwayne Mullin clears Senate committee vote to replace Noem despite Rand Paul's dissent
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
Rep. Markwayne Mullin advanced out of Senate committee to become Homeland Security secretary, signaling likely full Senate confirmation.
How This Affects You
The DHS secretary oversees border security, immigration enforcement, and deportation policy, directly affecting visa processing, work authorizations, and removals.
AI Summary
Rep. Markwayne Mullin advanced out of a Senate committee vote to become Homeland Security secretary, succeeding Kristi Noem. The Oklahoma Republican cleared the committee despite opposition from Sen. Rand Paul, signaling likely confirmation support in the full Senate. Mullin's nomination reflects the Trump administration's effort to fill cabinet posts with loyalists willing to execute its border security and immigration agenda. The vote moves him closer to confirmation, with the full Senate expected to vote in coming days.
What's Being Done
Mullin advanced out of Senate committee and the full Senate is expected to vote on his nomination in coming days.
Source Coverage Map
16 of 43 tracked sources covered this story
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
Other Sources Covering This Story
5 sourcesMultiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.
Trump Live Updates: Senate Committee Votes to Advance Markwayne Mullin’s Nomination to Lead D.H.S. - The New York Times
WATCH: Senate Homeland Security panel advances Markwayne Mullin's nomination for DHS
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Trump's Influence on US Politics and Foreign Policy
Former President Donald Trump continues to exert significant influence on US politics, from taunting foreign leaders and shaping primary elections to making controversial statements on immigration and foreign policy, including his stance on the ongoing Iran conflict.
Trump's Influence on US Politics and Elections
Former President Donald Trump continues to exert significant influence over US politics, from taunting political rivals and making policy demands to impacting primary elections and facing legal challenges. His statements and actions are shaping ongoing debates and future electoral contests.
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
PoliticsDemocrats outraged as Fetterman votes to advance Markwayne Mullin nomination
<p>Calls for Pennsylvania senator – Trump’s ‘favorite Democrat’ – to resign after casting decisive committee vote</p><p>Democrats reacted with outrage to their party colleague <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/18/john-fetterman-democrat-trump-progressive">John Fetterman</a>’s decision to advance the nomination of Republican US senator Markwayne Mullin as homeland security secretary.</p><p>Fetterman, the senior US senator from Pennsylvania, has in recent months <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/18/john-fetterman-democrat-trump-progressive">broken with the party</a> several times to support Republican proposals, and has routinely expressed staunch <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/05/john-fetterman-democrat-progressive-senator">support for Israel</a>. He cast the decisive committee vote on Thursday to advance Mullin’s nomination to succeed Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us...
PoliticsSen. 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...
PoliticsMarkwayne 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.
PoliticsWATCH 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.
PoliticsSen. 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,
PoliticsSen. John Fetterman casts deciding vote to advance Trump’s pick to replace Kristi Noem, criticizes fellow Democrats - Inquirer.com
Trump is dismantling democracy, reports find. And, Treasury to take over student loans
Recent studies show the U.S. is slipping further from democracy. And, the Trump administration plans to transfer federal student loans from the Education Department to the Treasury Department.
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.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Race on to establish globally recognised 'AI-free' logo
Biggest wildfire in Nebraska history continues to burn out of control - abcnews.com
TikTok and Meta risked safety to win algorithm arms race, whistleblowers say
Bank of America reaches proposed, non-binding settlement in Jeffrey Epstein suit
White House registers new ‘alien’-related .gov domains as DOD tackles Trump’s disclosure directive
