Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Wednesday that the Biden administration knew the man suspected of murdering a DHS employee had a checkered criminal history, but granted him citizenship anyway.
Mullin said that 26-year-old Olaolukitan Adon Abel had an established criminal pattern before he was granted citizenship in 2022 by the Biden administration. Abel was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dhs-employee-murdered-while-walking-dog-as-biden-era-naturalized-suspect-emerges?author=Leif+Le+Mahieu&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=2&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=DHS+Employee+Murdered+While+Walking+Dog+As+Biden-Era+Naturalized+Suspect+Emerges">arrested</a> earlier this week for murdering 40-year-old DHS employee Lauren Bullis in DeKalb County, Georgia, while she was out walking her dog.
“This individual not just had a pattern of criminal activity, but his pattern was every April. Every April, he had escalated his criminal activity, and the Biden administration knew this, law enforcement knew this, and they decided not to just deport him, but they allowed him to become a citizen, and then he escalated it to the point he did now,” Mullin said during an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Lauren Bullis, a DHS employee, was shot and stabbed while she was walking her dog by a citizen naturalized by the Biden administration.
This horrific incident is a devastating loss for the entire DHS community.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecMullinDHS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecMullinDHS</a> <a href="https://t.co/3QyPIbffEG">pic.twitter.com/3QyPIbffEG</a>
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/2044565998028656938?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Abel was arrested on Monday after police said that he went on a random killing spree that left Bullis and another woman dead, and a homeless man seriously injured. Bullis was shot and stabbed while out walking her dog Monday morning.
Born in the United Kingdom, Abel has an extensive criminal history including convictions for sexual battery, battery against a police officer, obstruction, assault with a deadly weapon, and vandalism.
Mullin said it did not appear to be a targeted killing, but said there must have been some connection to the month of April.
“So the question is, why April? There must have been something in his life that was triggering April, that he was acting out, but there was a direct pattern to it,” he said.
Bullis worked in the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security as an auditor.
“In every role she held, Lauren exemplified dedication to the OIG mission. Lauren approached her work with integrity, thoughtfulness, and a commitment to excellence that strengthened our organization and the communities we serve,” DHS <a href="https://x.com/DHSgov/status/2044473024808948076">said</a> Wednesday. “Beyond her professional accomplishments, Lauren was a bright spot for so many of the DHS community. She brought warmth, kindness, and a genuine sense of care to her colleagues each day.”

IMG_2029

Mullin Slams Biden’s Green Light For DHS Murder Suspect Despite Criminal Past

Crime

Department of Homeland Security

Illegal Immigration

Immigration

Joe Biden

Markwayne Mullin

U.S.

United Kingdom

The Trump administration is considering a new plan to pressure sanctuary cities to change their ways.
In his first interview since his confirmation, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Monday that he&#8217;s weighing pulling Customs officers from major airports in sanctuary cities to force them to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The move would effectively prevent international travel through those airports.
&#8220;I believe sanctuary cities is not lawful,&#8221; Mullin told Fox News&#8217; Bret Baier. &#8220;I don&#8217;t think they&#8217;re able to do that, and so we&#8217;re gonna take a hard look at this.&#8221;
He pointed specifically to international airports as a potential pressure point.
&#8220;If they&#8217;re sanctuary cities, should they really be processing Customs into their city?&#8221; Mullin asked. &#8220;If they&#8217;re a sanctuary city and they&#8217;re receiving international flights, and we&#8217;re asking them to partner with us at the airport, but once they walk out of the airport they&#8217;re not gonna enforce immigration policy, maybe we need to have a really hard look at that because we need to focus on cities that want to work with us.&#8221;
President Donald Trump&#8217;s immigration enforcement effort has targeted some sanctuary cities by flooding them with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and Border Patrol agents. One such operation took place in Chicago last year, where local authorities were restricted from working with ICE.
Mullin suggested the potential policy change comes alongside broader resource constraints and political battles in Washington, including a partial government shutdown over Democrats&#8217; demands to dramatically reform ICE.
&#8220;We&#8217;re gonna have to start prioritizing things at some point,&#8221; Mullin said.
&#8220;Right now, a number of the Democrats are wanting to defund Customs and Border Patrol. Well, who processes those individuals when they walk off a plane? And so I&#8217;m gonna have to be forced to make hard decisions,&#8221; he added.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Mullin: I believe sanctuary cities is not lawful. Some of these cities have international airports. If they are a sanctuary city, should they really be processing customs into their city? We need to have a really hard look at that.
Baier: So you are saying that big cities that… <a href="https://t.co/UAJxWFZtZI">pic.twitter.com/UAJxWFZtZI</a>
— Acyn (@Acyn) <a href="https://twitter.com/Acyn/status/2041279294325071987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
During his confirmation hearing last month, Mullin offered a willingness to implement &#8220;a better approach&#8221; for ICE, saying he “would love to see&#8221; the agency &#8220;become a transport more than the frontline.”
“If we can get back into just simply working with law enforcement, we’re going to them and we’re picking up these criminals from their jail. One, we’re gonna reimburse them for having the person there, and that partnership is vitally important,” he said.

Sanctuary_cities_airports

Sanctuary Cities Warned To Put Americans First Or Lose Critical Airport Lifeline

Sanctuary Cities

Zohran Mamdani

More than six years after overstaying his tourist visa, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela allegedly tried to murder a man on a Long Island beach last month, The Daily Wire has learned.
Ruben Guanipa Ramirez, 26, allegedly drove an acquaintance to Gilgo Beach, a remote location where he attacked him from behind, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney&#8217;s office. The Venezuelan national allegedly shoved a black cloth into his victim&#8217;s mouth while stabbing him in the left side and attempting to slit his throat.
Ramirez picked up the man from his Queens home before the two ended up playing pool at Sport Billiard Pool Hall, the DA&#8217;s office said. The Venezuelan national then allegedly drove his victim to Jones Beach and then Gilgo Beach, where the attack occurred.
Ramirez attacked when the two were walking back to the car, according to prosecutors. The victim was able to wrestle the knife out of Ramirez&#8217;s hands, resulting in defensive wounds.
The victim was able to drive off in Ramirez&#8217;s car, leaving his alleged attacker on the side of the road, and call 911. He then went to his friend&#8217;s house in Queens, where he was met by police and an ambulance, which transported him to a nearby hospital.
Police arrested Ramirez later that same day after spotting him walking along the Long Island Expressway in Nassau County, prosecutors said.
Authorities later discovered three kitchen knives, one of which was covered in blood, along with rope, duct tape, blankets, plastic drop cloths, a large-wheeled bag, gloves, and a boxcutter inside Ramirez&#8217;s car.
Ramirez came to the United States in June 2019 on a B-2 tourist visa, which required him to leave the country by December of that year, the Department of Homeland Security told The Daily Wire — but he never left.
Now, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is pressuring authorities in New York not to release the illegal immigrant. The district attorney in Suffolk County, Raymond Tierney, has condemned the state&#8217;s sanctuary laws and recently used a loophole to have ICE pick up a child rape suspect from Guatemala, according to Fox News.
“Ruben Guanipa Ramirez is a dangerous criminal illegal alien who violently stabbed his victim and attempted to slit his throat,” Acting DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement on Monday. “ICE lodged an arrest detainer requesting Long Island not release this attempted murder from jail without notifying ICE.&#8221;
&#8220;We need more state and local law enforcement to work with ICE to get criminals out of our neighborhoods. This attempted murderer will never be loose on American streets again. Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, DHS has unleashed ICE to target dangerous criminal illegal aliens, like Ruben Guanipa Ramirez, to put the safety of Americans first,&#8221; Bis added.

Untitled design – 2026-04-06T150935.889

He Overstayed His Visa For Years. Now He Stands Accused Of A Brutal Attack.

Murder

New York

Late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel defended his jabs at newly-sworn-in Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, saying that his intent had not been to insult plumbers, only to say that he didn&#8217;t believe Mullin was qualified to hold his current post.
Kimmel began by blaming President Donald Trump for the backlash he&#8217;d received, noting that Trump had complained about him while &#8220;The Five&#8221; on Fox News earlier that day.
&#8220;[The president&#8217;s] apple polishers are all in a tizzy because I made light of the fact that his new head of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, before he was a senator, was a plumber,&#8221; Kimmel said, and then he doubled down. &#8220;And now he&#8217;s the head of Homeland Security. Which is not necessarily the kind of resume you might hope for, for the person in charge of protecting us from terrorism.&#8221;
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Jimmy Kimmel tried to clean up his comments about Markwayne Mullin being a former plumber, but he tried to have it both ways. First he doubled down ignoring Mullin&#8217;s management experience with his plumbing company &#8220;[Trump&#8217;s] apple polishers are all in a tizzy because I made light… <a href="https://t.co/3zqd1AG6r9">pic.twitter.com/3zqd1AG6r9</a>
— Alex Christy (@alexchristy17) <a href="https://twitter.com/alexchristy17/status/2037514802621305124?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;Listen, let me make this very clear: I&#8217;m not upset that the head of homeland security used to be a plumber,&#8221; Kimmel said on Thursday&#8217;s broadcast. &#8220;I&#8217;m upset that he isn&#8217;t still a plumber.&#8221;
&#8220;Of course [conservatives] decided to twist that to say it was an insult to plumbers, which it was not,&#8221; Kimmel continued, saying that he had meant to draw attention to Mullin&#8217;s qualifications. &#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t put a plumber in charge of homeland security for the same reason I wouldn&#8217;t call a five-star general to pull a rat out of my toilet &#8230; We all have our areas of expertise.&#8221;
Kimmel went even further, suggesting that what he was doing was no different from those who were critical of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez — who previously worked as a bartender — and suggested that she was more qualified to serve drinks than to serve in Congress.
&#8220;Well, on behalf of bartenders everywhere, we anxiously await your apology,&#8221; he said.
What Kimmel left out — both in his initial comments about <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/jimmy-kimmel-mocks-markwayne-mullins-blue-collar-roots">Mullin</a> and the follow up — was that Mullin went to work at his family&#8217;s plumbing business at just 20 years old, leaving college to take over due to his father&#8217;s illness. He proceeded to take the small family business and expand it to a multi-million dollar enterprise.

Kimmel Mullin Blendy

Kimmel Responds To Backlash Over Mullin Plumber Dig

Jimmy Kimmel

Media

Politics

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, the quintessential avatar of Hollywood’s detached elite, recently took to the airwaves to demonstrate exactly why &#8220;flyover country&#8221; has tuned him out.
In a segment dripping with the kind of coastal condescension that has become his trademark, Kimmel mocked President Donald Trump’s selection of Markwayne Mullin to lead the Department of Homeland Security, sneering at Mullin’s background as a business owner and tradesman.
Kimmel, whose primary life skill involves reading teleprompters in a climate-controlled studio, took aim at Mullin’s blue-collar roots.
&#8220;Before he was elected to the Senate, Markwayne Mullin was a low-level MMA fighter and a plumber,&#8221; Kimmel smirked, before launching into a hackneyed Super Mario joke. &#8220;We have a plumber protecting us from terrorism now.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Jimmy Kimmel doesn&#39;t think Markwayne Mullin is qualified to be the Secretary of Homeland Security because he used to be plumber, &quot;Before he was elected to the Senate, Markwayne Mullin was a low-level MMA fighter and a plumber. That&#39;s right. We have a plumber protecting us from… <a href="https://t.co/KT81mBIUOV">pic.twitter.com/KT81mBIUOV</a>
&mdash; Alex Christy (@alexchristy17) <a href="https://twitter.com/alexchristy17/status/2036791893686726762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The irony is apparently lost on Kimmel: while he spent his youth chasing laughs in the entertainment industry, Mullin was overcoming actual adversity. Born with a clubfoot that required multiple surgeries, Mullin eventually earned a wrestling scholarship and, at just 20 years old, took over his father’s struggling plumbing business. He didn&#8217;t just &#8220;fix pipes&#8221;; he built one of the largest service companies in the region, illustrating the exact kind of American grit and managerial competence that is foreign to the halls of ABC.
Mullin isn&#8217;t just a &#8220;plumber,&#8221; though that is an honorable profession Kimmel clearly views as a punchline. He is a former five-term congressman, a U.S. senator, and an undefeated professional fighter.
This isn’t Kimmel’s first foray into elitist snobbery. Whether he is mocking Melania Trump’s accent, suggesting that unvaccinated Americans should &#8220;rest in peace, wheezy,&#8221; or dismissing the struggles of rural workers during government shutdowns, Kimmel’s track record is one of consistent disdain for the working class.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) hit the nail on the head, responding to the monologue by noting, &#8220;I prefer plumbers to woke and unfunny comedians.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
I prefer plumbers to woke &amp; unfunny comedians. <a href="https://t.co/3nUseOoluy">https://t.co/3nUseOoluy</a>
&mdash; Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) <a href="https://twitter.com/tedcruz/status/2036895113230623082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&nbsp;
Indeed, for the millions of Americans who actually work with their hands to keep this country running, Kimmel’s &#8220;Super Mario&#8221; routine isn&#8217;t just unfunny — it’s a reminder that the Hollywood elite view the backbone of the country as nothing more than a series of low-brow caricatures. While Kimmel plays dress-up for a living, men like Mullin are actually prepared to do the heavy lifting.

Jimmy Kimmel Mocks Markwayne Mullin’s Blue-Collar Roots

Oklahoma Republican Governor Kevin Stitt announced on Tuesday that longtime energy executive Alan Armstrong will replace Markwayne Mullin in the Senate following Mullin&#8217;s confirmation as Homeland Security Secretary.
Armstrong is a political outsider who has spent his career at Williams Companies, a major oil and gas company based in Tulsa. After introducing Armstrong at a <a href="https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1mxPaLjkLQYKN">press conference</a>, Stitt said that Oklahoma&#8217;s new senator &#8220;is strongly aligned with President Trump on energy policy,&#8221; adding that &#8220;few people have done more to champion [the] America First agenda to keep Oklahoma at the center of domestic production.&#8221;
The Tulsa oil and gas executive will only serve in the Senate for the remainder of Mullin&#8217;s term, which ends in January 2027. Oklahoma law requires Senate appointees to sign an affidavit vowing not to run for a full term, and Trump has endorsed Congressman Kevin Hern to run for the seat in November.
Armstrong said he is entering the Senate at a &#8220;critical&#8221; time in American history, especially regarding energy and infrastructure.
&#8220;You travel around the world these days and you realize we are falling behind on being the leaders in infrastructure,&#8221; Armstrong said, adding, &#8220;The truth is, it&#8217;s gotten very, very hard to build large-scale infrastructure, and it is so critical to our country&#8217;s competitiveness in the long-term.&#8221;
Armstrong <a href="https://www.constellationenergy.com/about/leadership/alan-armstrong.html">began</a> working at Williams Companies nearly 40 years ago as an engineer and worked his way to the top, becoming the energy company&#8217;s president and CEO in 2011. He retired from the CEO role in 2025 and became the executive chairman of the board of directors at Williams Companies.
Armstrong&#8217;s decades of expertise leading one of America&#8217;s largest oil and gas companies and focus on U.S. energy independence fits neatly with President Trump&#8217;s goals to rejuvenate the country&#8217;s energy sector. The oil and gas executive said the issue he wants to address the most in the Senate is permitting reform.
&#8220;What&#8217;s caught my attention is it&#8217;s hard for any kind of infrastructure to get built, and that really is holding our country back,&#8221; he said. &#8220;And I really want to make sure that we really have meaningful permitting reform.&#8221;
Along with focusing on energy, Armstrong told reporters that &#8220;there are a lot of important policy issues&#8221; in the Republican Party agenda and vowed that he &#8220;will be there to support that.&#8221; Armstrong recently met with Trump and said the president showed support for his appointment to the Senate. Armstrong has also worked on energy issues with Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, which he said &#8220;was pretty important&#8221; in gaining Trump&#8217;s support.
Oklahoma has been one of the most pro-Trump states in the country and was the only state where Trump won every county in the 2024 election. Trump, however, recently expressed frustration with Stitt, the chair of the National Governors Association, over a dispute about whether Democratic governors would be invited to the National Governors Association gathering at the White House in February.
Stitt suggested that Trump would be excluding Democratic governors from the meeting, but Trump shot back, calling Stitt a &#8220;RINO&#8221; and a &#8220;wise guy&#8221; who &#8220;incorrectly stated my position&#8221; on which governors were invited to the White House. The Oklahoma governor <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/13/stitt-and-trump-patch-things-up-00828775">reportedly</a> met with Trump earlier this month and cleared the air over the dispute.

Alan Armstrong/Markwayne Mullin

Red State Governor Reveals Key Senate Replacement After DHS Shakeup

Oklahoma Governor Reveals Senate Replacement For DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin

Oklahoma

Senate

The Senate confirmed Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to be the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on Monday night.
The vote was 54-45 largely along party lines, but Democratic Sens. Martin Heinrich and John Fetterman voted to confirm him and Republican Sen. Rand Paul voted against his confirmation. Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego did not vote.
Secretary Kristi Noem will leave the department on March 31, and she will be headed to a new role as special envoy for the “Shield of the Americas.” Noem’s exit from the department came amid multiple controversies regarding ad spending and federal immigration enforcement.
Mullin could be taking over the department at a pivotal time, as it has faced a lapse in funding since mid-February over the Trump administration’s immigration tactics through ICE. As TSA, Coast Guard, and FEMA fall under the DHS umbrella, many of those essential workers have been required to work without receiving a paycheck.
Reactions poured in over his confirmation, including in Congress.
“As a conservative warrior with a proven track record of supporting President Trump’s agenda, Markwayne Mullin will lead the Department of Homeland Security with dogged determination and zeal for enforcing our nation’s immigration laws,&#8221; Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) said in a statement.
&#8220;At a time when the danger to American soil is heightened and Democrats continue to hold funding for this vital agency hostage, we need a strong hand at the helm more than ever. I have every confidence Markwayne is up to the task, and I look forward to working with him in this new role to protect and defend the homeland and support America First,&#8221; he added.
While Republicans have largely been pleased with Trump&#8217;s pick, Democrats have largely taken a sharply tone.
&#8220;After Kristi Noem’s disastrous time as Secretary of Homeland Security, we need a steady, level-headed leader who will focus on protecting our homeland while ensuring ICE officers follow the same standards as other law enforcement officials,&#8221; Sen. Jacky Rosen posted to X on Sunday afternoon.
&#8220;Markwayne Mullin has made clear his number one priority is pleasing Donald Trump, including by voting against paying TSA agents during this Republican shutdown. That’s unacceptable and it’s one of the reasons why I voted against him as Secretary of Homeland Security,&#8221; she continued.

Mullin To Face Senate Scrutiny Over Ability To Lead Behemoth DHS

Markwayne Mullin Confirmed As Next Homeland Security Secretary

Congress

A Democrat’s vote to move forward with the confirmation of President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security was considered a surprise, and it garnered some backlash on the Left.
Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) voted to allow Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to advance to the final step in the confirmation process to become the next DHS secretary, succeeding Secretary Kristi Noem. Heinrich and Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) are the only two Democrats who voted in favor of Mullin, who’s expected to be confirmed later on Monday.
“This is going to surprise some people, but I consider Markwayne Mullin a friend. We have a very honest and constructive working relationship. We have authored legislation together, such as the Tribal Buffalo Management Act, and we crafted the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill together this year. We often disagree and when we do, we work to find whatever common ground we share,” Heinrich said in a statement on Sunday.
“I have also seen first-hand that Markwayne is not someone who can simply be bullied into changing his views, and I look forward to having a Secretary who doesn’t take their orders from Stephen Miller,” he said.
The senator said that even though New Mexico is a border state, he has not had “any constructive relationship” with the DHS secretaries during the current and previous Trump administration.
“I want someone who recognizes the necessity of judicial warrants, as he has. I would like a Secretary who I can call and have a constructive conversation with about my state and the unique terrain that exists in the southwest and the proper mix of structure, technology and personnel necessary to effectively secure our border,” the Democrat continued.
In a press release, his office noted that he’s previously called for Noem to be fired, did not vote for her confirmation, and that he wants to see changes made to federal immigration enforcement.
On social media, Heinrich garnered some controversy over his decision to support the Oklahoma Republican.
“Who gives a frog’s fat ass if Sen Heinrich likes Mullin personally? His job is to ensure the nominees in Trump’s administration are qualified. Mullin lacks experience, is combative and impulsive, and will push DHS in a more aggressive, politicized direction,” Shannon Watts, founder emerita of Moms Demand Action, posted to X.
Heinrich has also weighed into multiple Senate races, including endorsing Texas State Rep. James Talarico, Maine veteran Graham Platner, and Michigan State Sen. Mallory McMorrow – and The Daily Wire reached out to each campaign on whether they would also support Mullin&#8217;s nomination.
A spokesperson for Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, who’s backed by Heinrich in her competitive Senate primary, stated that “no, she would not vote to confirm Mullin.&#8221;
As for Fetterman, he had clearly stated his support for Mullin prior to the procedural vote.
“In January, I called on the president to fire Noem—and he did. I truly approached the confirmation of my colleague and friend, Senator Mullin, with an open-mind,” he posted to X last week. “We need a leader at DHS. We must reopen DHS.”
“My AYE is rooted in a strong committed, constructive working relationship with Senator Mullin for our nation’s security,” he added.
The Department of Homeland Security remains largely unfunded, as Democrats and Republicans are attempting to work out a deal to fund DHS while possibly making federal immigration enforcement changes. However, other agencies within the DHS umbrella, like TSA, have been caught in the crosshairs, leading to hundreds of TSA agents quitting and long lines at major airports nationwide.

Senate Holds Confirmation Hearing For DHS Secretary Nominee Markwayne Mullin

Democrat Makes ‘Surprise’ Break From Party On Major Homeland Security Vote

U.S. Senate

President Donald Trump has tapped Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to serve as his next Secretary of Homeland Security, but the question remains: can he salvage the agency&#8217;s reputation and its mass deportation effort?
Leading up to the firing of outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the department faced backlash for its handling of immigration sweeps across major cities. In Minneapolis, it all came to a head after the fatal shootings of anti-ICE activists Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents.
At the time, Noem tagged Good and Pretti as domestic terrorists, drawing backlash from both sides of the aisle for getting ahead of federal probes.
In an attempt to clean up the situation, Trump sent his border czar, Tom Homan, into the Twin Cities to change the course of immigration raids and to quell chaos in the streets. In doing so, Trump replaced Noem ally Gregory Bovino, of Border Patrol, who was known for his aggressive tactics of carrying out roving patrols.
Homan changed all that, putting the focus on nabbing the worst criminals first.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Asked how Noem and Mullin differ, Homan says Mullin “doesn’t know the immigration game very well,” but is relying on “people with 30, 40 years of experience to guide him,” adding: “That’s the way it should be.” <a href="https://t.co/x7QQkHDEH2">pic.twitter.com/x7QQkHDEH2</a>
— Jennie Taer (@JennieSTaer) <a href="https://twitter.com/JennieSTaer/status/2034364253470183456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
On Wednesday, Fox News host Martha MacCallum asked Homan how <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/rand-paul-confronts-mullin-over-anger-issues-after-freaking-snake-jab?author=Jennie+Taer&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Rand+Paul+Confronts+Mullin+Over+%E2%80%98Anger+Issues%E2%80%99+After+%E2%80%98Freaking+Snake%E2%80%99+Jab">Mullin</a> would differ from Noem as secretary.
The former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director said that while Mullin “doesn’t know the immigration game very well,” he&#8217;s relying on “people with 30, 40 years of experience to guide him,” adding: “That’s the way it should be.”
Mullin faced a grilling from the Senate Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday, where he was asked about how he would  &#8220;reform&#8221; ICE. The Oklahoma lawmaker admitted that there&#8217;s a need for &#8220;a better approach,&#8221; adding, &#8220;I would love to see ICE become a transport more than the frontline.&#8221;
&#8220;If we can get back into just simply working with law enforcement, we&#8217;re going to them and we&#8217;re picking up these criminals from their jail. One, we&#8217;re gonna reimburse them for having the person there and that partnership is vitally important,&#8221; he said.
During a recent hearing, Noem defended DHS&#8217; use of &#8220;administrative immigration warrants,&#8221; which aren&#8217;t signed by a judge, to enter homes. She said they&#8217;ve only been used to enter homes in 28 instances.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/pressed-at-dhs-hearing-markwayne-mullin-walks-back-deranged-comment-about-alex-pretti?author=Jennie+Taer&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=2&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Pressed+At+DHS+Hearing%2C+Markwayne+Mullin+Walks+Back+%E2%80%98Deranged%E2%80%99+Comment+About+Alex+Pretti">Mullin</a> suggested that would change.
&#8220;We will not enter a home or a place of business without a judicial warrant, unless we&#8217;re pursuing the individual that runs into a place of business or a house,&#8221; Mullin said during Wednesday&#8217;s hearing.
When it comes to sanctuary cities, Mullin indicated that his approach would involve holding discussions with their leaders to find common ground. When Trump sent Homan into Minneapolis, he changed Noem&#8217;s approach to pressuring sanctuary cities from the vantage point of television appearances and instead sat down with local sheriffs brokering deals that promoted better cooperation with ICE.
Homan&#8217;s actions led to a drawdown of thousands of Homeland Security agents deployed to Minneapolis.
&#8220;If they&#8217;re not willing to enforce federal law and work with us, then where&#8217;s the taxpayer dollars going to?&#8221; Mullin said.
&#8220;And ideally, I would like to go in there and talk to the mayors. I&#8217;d like to go in there and talk to the sheriffs, talk to the police chiefs, say what is your concerns, how can we get past this? Because the president has made it very clear, he wants to protect the streets for every American. He wants to restore law and order to every city. I don&#8217;t think that should be controversial,&#8221; he said.
&#8220;So maybe we sit down and we just work it out,&#8221; Mullin said, adding, &#8220;If we have to do something different, then we will, but that&#8217;s where I&#8217;m going to start at.&#8221;
Asked if he would withhold federal funding from sanctuary cities and states, Mullin signaled it &#8220;would be a last option,&#8221; adding that &#8220;at the end of the day, taxpayer dollars have to be used for the right purposes and if people are refusing to enforce the nation&#8217;s laws, then I think it&#8217;s really hard to justify why we&#8217;re sending them taxpayer dollars.&#8221;
&#8220;That is not going to be my first or second or even third approach, but that would be my last resort,&#8221; Mullin said.
Noem&#8217;s firing came after she blamed Trump for questionable $200 million TV ad contracts that promoted deportations and border security.
Hours before ousting Noem, Trump told Reuters that he had no knowledge of the expensive contracts.
Noem testified during a heated Congressional hearing that the contracts “went out to a competitive bid and career officials at the department chose who would do those advertising commercials.”
The contracts were awarded using “other than full and open competition” to a company formed days before, according to records recently obtained by The Daily Wire. That company then subcontracted the work to an organization headed by the husband of Noem’s former spokeswoman.
It now appears that Mullin wants to salvage the reputation of the department in the wake of Noem&#8217;s missteps.
&#8220;I hope that I&#8217;m not on the news six months from now every day,&#8221; Mullin said during Wednesday&#8217;s hearing.
&#8220;I hope DHS is just able to be laser focused on doing their job and it isn&#8217;t controversial about taking care of the homeland. I hope people have confidence in our agency again and I&#8217;m going to work every day to restore that,&#8221; Mullin said.
Mullin&#8217;s <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/mullin-dhs-nomination-clears-committee-after-democrat-breaks-ranks?author=Jennie+Taer&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Mullin+DHS+Nomination+Clears+Committee+After+Democrat+Breaks+Ranks">nomination</a> passed a committee vote Thursday and is headed to the Senate floor.

How Will Trump’s Mass Deportation Campaign Change If Markwayne Mullin Becomes DHS Secretary?

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Kristi Noem

Tom Homan

The Senate Homeland Security Committee voted Thursday to advance the nomination of Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to lead the Department of Homeland Security.
Mullin&#8217;s nomination will now head to a full Senate vote after clearing the committee in an 8-7 vote. The vote largely followed party lines, though Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) broke with Democrats to support the nomination.
<div id="attachment_1062285" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1062285" class="wp-image-1062285 size-full" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2267258753.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2267258753.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2267258753-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2267258753-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2267258753-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes=" (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)</div>
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), who chairs the committee, voted against Mullin after a contentious exchange during Wednesday&#8217;s confirmation hearing, where Paul raised concerns about what he described as Mullin&#8217;s “pattern” of aggressive behavior.
Paul confronted Mullin with a compilation of video clips, including remarks about settling disputes physically, statements about “not afraid to bite” in a fight, and Mullin&#8217;s previous challenge to the Teamsters president during a congressional hearing.
The Kentucky senator also referenced a 2017 assault in which he was seriously injured by a neighbor, accusing Mullin of previously appearing to justify the attack.
“You told the media that I was a freakin’ snake and that you completely understood why I had been assaulted. I was shocked that you would justify and celebrate this violent assault that caused me so much pain, and my family so much pain.&#8221;
Paul questioned whether Mullin&#8217;s past remarks made him fit to lead an agency responsible for enforcing federal law.
&#8220;I just wonder if someone who applauds violence against their political opponents is the right person to lead an agency that has struggled to accept limits to the proper use of force,” Paul said.
&nbsp;
<div id="attachment_1062289" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1062289" class="wp-image-1062289 size-full" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2267253588.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2267253588.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2267253588-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2267253588-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2267253588-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes=" (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)</div>
Mullin, however, didn&#8217;t apologize or walk back any of his past statements.
“Everybody in this room knows that I’m very blunt and direct to the point. And if I have something to say, I’ll say it directly to your face,” Mullin said.
Mullin denied endorsing violence and accused Paul of misrepresenting his record.
“As far as me saying that I invoke violence, I don’t think anybody should be hit by surprise,&#8221; Mullin said.  &#8220;If I do have something to say, everybody in this room knows I’ll come straight to you, I’ll say it publicly and I’ll say it privately, but I’ll never say it behind your back.”
Mullin also attempted to strike a conciliatory tone, asking Paul to move past their dispute.
“Let me earn your respect, let me earn the job,&#8221; he said. “I’m not perfect, I don’t claim to be perfect. I make mistakes just like anybody else. But mistakes, if you own them, you can learn from, and you can move ahead. And I’ll make that commitment to you,” he added.
<div class="ad-wrapper" data-narration-ignore="true" data-testid="ad-wrapper">
If confirmed, Mullin would take over an agency facing scrutiny over its handling of immigration enforcement policies.
During an interview Wednesday, President Donald Trump&#8217;s border czar, Tom Homan, said Mullin “doesn’t know the immigration game very well,” but is relying on “people with 30, 40 years of experience to guide him,” adding: “That’s the way it should be.”
</div>

Mullin DHS Nomination Clears Committee After Democrat Breaks Ranks

John Fetterman

Rand Paul

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) grilled his Republican colleague, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), for appearing to &#8220;justify&#8221; a violent attack he experienced in 2017 and showing a &#8220;pattern&#8221; of aggression.
The confrontation occurred on Wednesday during a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on Mullin&#8217;s nomination to be secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Paul first brought up Mullin&#8217;s previous comment, in which Mullin called Paul a &#8220;freaking snake,&#8221; and for voting against his amendment to stop funding for refugee welfare programs in February. He also later played a compilation of clips that appeared to show Mullin advocating bringing back canings for men to &#8220;settle&#8221; their differences, saying he&#8217;s &#8220;not afraid to bite&#8221; during a confrontation, and previously challenging the Teamsters president to a physical fight.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Mullin responds: <a href="https://t.co/Su2BSJqqRD">pic.twitter.com/Su2BSJqqRD</a>
— Jennie Taer (@JennieSTaer) <a href="https://twitter.com/JennieSTaer/status/2034270096881865058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;You told the media that I was a freakin&#8217; snake and that you completely understood why I had been assaulted. I was shocked that you would justify and celebrate this violent assault that caused me so much pain, and my family so much pain. I just wonder if someone who applauds violence against their political opponents is the right person to lead an agency that has struggled to accept limits to the proper use of force,&#8221; Paul said.
&#8220;You went on to brag that you’d already told me to my face that you completely understood and approved of the assault. Well, that’s a lie. You&#8217;ve got a chance today, you can either continue to lie, or you can correct the record,&#8221; the Kentucky lawmaker added.
Paul was assaulted in 2017 by a neighbor while doing yard work. He was left seriously injured.
&#8220;Tell the world why you believe I deserve to be assaulted from behind, have six ribs broken and a damaged lung. Tell me to my face why you think I deserved it. And while you&#8217;re at it, explain to the American public why they should trust a man with anger issues to set the proper example for ICE and Border Patrol agents. Explain to the American public how a man who has no regrets about brawling in a Senate committee could set a proper example for over 250,000 men and women who work at the Department of Homeland Security.&#8221;
Mullin then took an opportunity to respond to Paul in his opening statement, but didn&#8217;t apologize or walk back any of his previous statements.
“I have to address remarks the chairman made calling me a liar. Sir &#8230; everybody in this room knows that I’m very blunt and direct to the point. And if I have something to say, I’ll say it directly to your face,” Mullin said.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Rand Paul &#8220;rolls the tapes&#8221; on Markwayne Mullin&#8217;s &#8220;pattern&#8221; of violence <a href="https://t.co/iymerPC77T">pic.twitter.com/iymerPC77T</a>
— Jennie Taer (@JennieSTaer) <a href="https://twitter.com/JennieSTaer/status/2034270802581876892?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;Seems like you fight Republicans more than you work with us,&#8221; the Oklahoma senator said. &#8220;I did address those remarks, I did explain your gimmicks by the amendment you put forth. And as far as me saying that I invoke violence, I don’t think anybody should be hit by surprise, I don’t like that, but if I do have something to say, everybody in this room knows I&#8217;ll come straight to you, I’ll say it publicly and I’ll say it privately, but I’ll never say it behind your back. So for you to say I’m a liar, sir, that’s not accurate.&#8221;
Mullin appeared to extend an olive branch, but Paul didn&#8217;t seem satisfied without an overt apology.
&#8220;So I can set it aside, if you’re willing to set it aside. Let me earn your respect, let me earn the job. I won’t fail you, I won’t back down from a challenge, and I&#8217;ll also admit when I’m wrong,&#8221; Mullin said.
&#8220;I’m not perfect, I don’t claim to be perfect. I make mistakes just like anybody else. But mistakes, if you own them, you can learn from, and you can move ahead. And I’ll make that commitment to you,&#8221; he added.

Untitled design – 2026-03-18T092924.390

Rand Paul Confronts Mullin Over ‘Anger Issues’ After ‘Freaking Snake’ Jab

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) said he regretted calling Alex Pretti a &#8220;deranged individual&#8221; after he was fatally shot by a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis in January.
Mullin made the statement during a Wednesday Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on his nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security. If confirmed, the Oklahoma Republican would inherit an agency facing scrutiny over its handling of the fatal shootings of both Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis.
Leading up to her firing, former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced scrutiny for statements about the motives of Pretti and Good before the investigation concluded, accusing both of committing an act of domestic terrorism.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Marykwayne Mullin says he regrets calling Alex Pretti a &#8220;deranged individual that came into cause max damage.&#8221;
&#8220;I went out there too fast. I was responding immediately without the facts. That’s my fault. That won’t happen as secretary.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/kDbXXgrHDc">pic.twitter.com/kDbXXgrHDc</a>
— Jennie Taer (@JennieSTaer) <a href="https://twitter.com/JennieSTaer/status/2034273306736566624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) asked Mullin if he intends to do the same.
&#8220;After DHS officers shot and killed two American citizens this past January, you joined top administration officials in publicly blaming and disparaging the victims,&#8221; Peters said. &#8220;Following the killing of Renee Good, Secretary Noem called her a domestic terrorist.&#8221;
&#8220;You, sir, you called Alex Pretti &#8216;a deranged individual that came in to cause max damage.&#8217; Could we expect those kinds of quick responses if you are confirmed as secretary?&#8221; Peters asked.
Mullin responded bluntly that he wouldn&#8217;t do the same and expressed remorse for his previous comment.
&#8220;No, senator, I have a deep amount of respect for you. We’ve had our differences, but I do respect you. I think I&#8217;ve said this privately when we had a conversation. Those words probably should have been retracted,&#8221; Mullin said.
&#8220;I shouldn&#8217;t have said that. And as secretary, I wouldn’t. The investigation is ongoing &#8230; I went out there too fast. I was responding immediately without the facts. That’s my fault. That won’t happen as secretary,&#8221; he added.
Peters then asked Mullin to apologize to Pretti&#8217;s family, which he said he would &#8220;absolutely&#8221; do if the investigation proves him wrong.
Following the shootings, President Donald Trump sent border czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis to take over operations. In doing so, Trump replaced Noem-ally Gregory Bovino, a top Border Patrol official, who has since announced his retirement from the agency.

Menu