Trump's Homeland Security Pick Mullin Faces Challenges

Incoming DHS Secretary Mullin inherits a department beset by issues like immigration enforcement, disaster response, and funding battles with Congress.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 8:24am

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If confirmed as the next Secretary of Homeland Security, Sen. Markwayne Mullin will take over a department facing a number of challenges, including immigration enforcement, disaster response, and funding battles with Congress. Mullin, a former mixed martial arts fighter, has a reputation as a combative presence in the Senate and is expected to follow the White House's policy priorities.

Why it matters

The Department of Homeland Security plays a critical role in areas like immigration, disaster response, and national security. How Mullin navigates these issues will have significant implications for the country. His management style and policy positions could mark a shift from the previous DHS secretary, Kristi Noem, whose tenure was marked by social media-driven leadership and tensions with Congress.

The details

Mullin will inherit a DHS grappling with issues like the administration's centerpiece policy of mass deportations, which has sparked fear in immigrant communities and raised concerns about enforcement tactics. He'll also have to address a funding battle with Congress over immigration enforcement, which has forced thousands of DHS staffers to work without pay. Additionally, Mullin will take over a FEMA mired in upheaval, with the previous DHS secretary driving policies that delayed disaster recovery funding and clashed with state emergency managers.

  • Mullin's confirmation hearing is set for Wednesday.
  • A year of high-profile immigration enforcement operations resulted in high arrest numbers but also criticism that officers were too aggressive.
  • The shooting deaths of two protesters in Minneapolis by federal officers sparked calls for reform at immigration enforcement agencies.

The players

Markwayne Mullin

A former mixed martial arts fighter and current U.S. Senator from Oklahoma who has been nominated as the next Secretary of Homeland Security.

Kristi Noem

The embattled outgoing Secretary of Homeland Security, whose social media-driven management style contributed to her downfall.

John Kennedy

A Republican Senator from Louisiana who has called for a full audit of the Department of Homeland Security.

John Sandweg

A former acting director at ICE during the Obama administration, who said Mullin will need to balance pressures from different players inside the administration over how to conduct future enforcement operations.

Karen Langdon

A spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Association, who said state emergency managers hope to see a quick repeal of Noem's policy requiring her personal approval for expenditures over $100,000, along with the release of grant funding for preparedness and resilience.

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What they’re saying

“We've got serious management problems at DHS, and we need somebody steering the ship.”

— Sen. John Kennedy, Republican Senator from Louisiana (wbal.com)

“He's going to have to reconcile … are we about numbers or about quality? And I think he'll face a lot of pressure to also deliver on numbers.”

— John Sandweg, Former acting director at ICE (wbal.com)

“It's not FEMA that's going to respond. It's the local people that are going to respond, and we're going to be fighting with FEMA to get reimbursed if they ever do reimburse.”

— Markwayne Mullin (Fox Business)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Mullin's confirmation as the new DHS Secretary comes at a critical time, as the department faces a range of challenges from immigration enforcement and disaster response to funding battles with Congress. How he navigates these issues will have significant implications for the country, and his management style and policy positions could mark a shift from the previous administration.