Democrat Welch praises Trump's DHS pick Mullin as 'competent,' 'honest'

Sen. Peter Welch says Mullin will be confirmed to replace Kristi Noem as Homeland Security secretary.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) says the Senate will confirm Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) to replace Kristi Noem as secretary of Homeland Security, praising his colleague as 'competent' and 'honest.' Welch welcomed Mullin's nomination as an opportunity for Republican and Democratic senators to examine problems at the Department of Homeland Security under Noem's leadership.

Why it matters

Mullin's nomination provides a chance to address issues that arose under Noem's tenure, including concerns over immigration enforcement operations and the department's response to the 'rampage in Minneapolis.'

The details

Welch told CNN's Kasie Hunt that Mullin is 'competent' and 'honest,' qualities Noem lacked. Mullin said he is willing to meet with Democrats like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to hear their concerns and see if practical changes can be made to improve the department's operations.

  • On Thursday, Trump fired Noem and announced he would nominate Mullin to head the Homeland Security department.

The players

Sen. Peter Welch

A Democratic senator from Vermont who praised Mullin's nomination.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin

A Republican senator from Oklahoma who Trump has nominated to replace Kristi Noem as secretary of Homeland Security.

Kristi Noem

The former secretary of Homeland Security who was fired by Trump.

Chuck Schumer

The Senate Minority Leader who Mullin said he is willing to meet with to discuss concerns about the Department of Homeland Security.

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What they’re saying

“He'll be confirmed, the question is whether there's bipartisan support for him. Markwayne Mullin is competent and he's honest, so those are two good things that Kristi Noem did not have.”

— Sen. Peter Welch, Democratic senator from Vermont (CNN)

“We're going to try to earn everybody's vote. I want people to understand, when I go into this position, yes, I'm a Republican, yes, I'm conservative but the Department of Homeland Security is to keep everybody [safe,] regardless of if you support me or you don't support me, regardless of what your thoughts are.”

— Sen. Markwayne Mullin, Republican senator from Oklahoma (The Hill)

What’s next

Mullin said he would sit down with Schumer and other Democrats to discuss ways to improve immigration enforcement operations and other essential operations of the department.

The takeaway

Mullin's nomination provides an opportunity for bipartisan cooperation to address issues that arose under Noem's leadership and ensure the Department of Homeland Security effectively fulfills its mission of keeping all Americans safe, regardless of political affiliation.