Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin has been selected to take over the Department of Homeland Security following the abrupt departure of Secretary Kristi Noem, who was fired by President Donald Trump on Thursday. The Oklahoma senator, 48, has no law enforcement background but has been a consistent advocate for Trump’s policies on immigration and law enforcement. Mullin expressed his surprise at the news, stating he had not yet discussed the appointment with his wife.

From Business Owner to Political Figure

Mullin has served in Congress since 2013 and was elected to the Senate in 2021. He was born and raised in Oklahoma and is a member of the Cherokee Nation. Mullin left college at age 20 to run his father’s plumbing business. He later earned an associate’s degree from the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, making him the only sitting senator without a bachelor’s degree.

Before entering politics, Mullin was a professional mixed martial arts fighter and expanded his business ventures into real estate and agriculture. He hosted a radio show on home improvement and ran for office in 2012 with the slogan, ‘A rancher. A businessman. Not a politician.’

Controversial Stances and Political Alignment

Mullin has been a vocal supporter of Trump, echoing the former president’s claims that the 2020 election was stolen and rigged. He was present during the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and was seen constructing barriers to prevent rioters from entering the chamber. Despite the lack of evidence for widespread fraud, Mullin has continued to question the legitimacy of the election results.

In August 2022, during a Senate candidate debate, Mullin stated, ‘It’s going to be very hard to convince me that Joe Biden received more votes than any other president in history.’ He also claimed that audits and investigations revealed ‘irregularities’ in the election process, despite no conclusive evidence to support these claims.

Senate Confirmation and Political Implications

Mullin will need Senate confirmation to take the position, and he has expressed a willingness to engage with Democratic senators to address their concerns. ‘If they have real concerns, I’m going to listen to it, I’m going to be practical,’ he said. His confirmation could impact the balance of power in the Senate, as his seat is up for election in 2024.

If Mullin is confirmed and resigns his Senate seat, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt will appoint a temporary replacement within 30 days. The state statute states that the person appointed must swear not to run for the seat in the next election. Since the seat is already up for a full term, the winner of the upcoming election will be considered to have filled the vacancy.

Stitt described Mullin as a ‘fighter’ and said he plans to appoint a ‘strong, small government conservative voice’ to fill the seat. However, he did not name a potential candidate. The filing deadline for the Senate primary is April 3, with the primary set for June 16.

Mullin’s appointment has drawn attention not only for his political alignment but also for his past conduct, including a viral incident in November 2023 where he appeared to challenge Teamsters Union President Sean O’Brien to a physical confrontation during a committee hearing. The incident, which was later de-escalated, highlighted the contentious nature of Mullin’s public persona.

As the new head of the Department of Homeland Security, Mullin will face challenges in securing the nation’s borders, managing immigration policies, and addressing domestic security threats. His approach, shaped by his conservative values and alignment with Trump’s policies, may influence the direction of the agency and its interactions with other federal departments.