WASHINGTON - Markwayne Mullin has been confirmed by the Senate to serve as the new Homeland Security Secretary, succeeding Kristi Noem, who President Donald Trump removed from the position earlier this month as she was facing growing backlash from Congress.

Fifty-four senators voted to confirm Mullin Monday night, including Mullin himself, with 45 voting against. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul was the sole Republican who voted against Mullin’s confirmation. Two Democrats—Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman and New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich—broke from their party to back Mullin’s confirmation.

Mullin, a tribal member of the Cherokee Nation who was serving his first term as a Senator from Oklahoma prior to being tapped to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is a loyal Republican ally to the President. He previously served as a congressman representing Oklahoma’s second congressional district.

He will take over DHS at a contentious time for the agency, which has been shut down since Feb. 14 because lawmakers reached an impasse on immigration enforcement.

During his confirmation hearing last week, Mullin vowed to continue Trump’s crackdown on immigration as Homeland Security Secretary. But he also signaled a somewhat softer approach. Among other things, he said that, if he were confirmed, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents “will not enter a home or a place of business without a judicial warrant unless we’re pursuing an individual that runs into a place of business or a house,” which would mark a break from current policy. (Source: TIME)

Story Date: March 24, 2026