The United States Senate has confirmed Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) as the 9th Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by a mostly party-line vote, 54-45. Two Democrats crossed the aisle to confirm Mullin: Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) and Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM). Fellow Republican and Chairman of the Health, Employment, Labor & Pensions Committee (HELP), Rand Paul (R-KY) was a “no” vote on his confirmation.
🚨 BREAKING: Markwayne Mullin has been CONFIRMED by the US Senate as President Trump’s DHS Secretary
Congratulations, Sec. Mullin!
DHS is in GREAT hands! Deportations continue full throttle 🔥
Now Democrats should IMMEDIATELY fund DHS or we should nuke the filibuster! pic.twitter.com/WsxNMdCZ6r
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 24, 2026
As RedState previously reported, Mullin’s confirmation hearing last Wednesday before the HELP Committee had a few spicy moments, the most pointed being his face-off with Chairman Paul. Sen. Paul deemed Mullin unfit for the DHS Secretary position and voted against his nomination. Sen. Fetterman was the vote in favor of Mullin’s nomination that helped to move him out of the HELP committee and onto the full Senate for a vote.
Dive Deeper: ‘You Fight Republicans More Than You Work With Us’: Mullin, Rand Paul Clash in DHS Confirmation Hearing
Rand Paul Moves to Block Trump’s DHS Pick As Fetterman Steps in to Push It Through
As our Deputy Managing Editor Susie Moore reported, the Senate voted Sunday afternoon to invoke cloture on Mullin’s nomination, cutting off debate and moving Mullin’s final confirmation vote to the Senate floor.
Read More: Sunday Vote: Senate Nudges Mullin Closer to DHS Post
Mullin’s Emotional Moment Underscores Urgency of DHS Funding Fight
Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) spoke glowingly in support of Senator Mullin.
WATCH:
.@SenJohnBarrasso on Markwayne Mullin nomination: “The sooner he’s on the job, the safer, the stronger, and the more secure America will be. Markwayne is a servant leader in the truest sense.” pic.twitter.com/JpyuY7gxnG
— CSPAN (@cspan) March 23, 2026
Mullin replaces former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who was appointed by President Donald Trump as a Special Envoy to the Shield of the Americas. Noem’s last day as DHS Secretary will be March 31, and Mullin should be sworn in soon after.
Oklahoma Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt reportedly met on Saturday with Trump and Mullin’s potential replacement in the Senate. If Stitt appoints Oil and Gas executive Alan Armstrong, he would fill Mullin’s seat until January 2027, when the winner of the state’s November 2026 Senate election would be sworn in. President Trump has endorsed Rep. Kevin Hern (OK-01), and Hern is favored to win the election for the Senate seat.
Editor’s Note: ICE and CBP continue to put themselves in harm’s way in order to protect America’s sovereignty and to keep our streets safe.
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