Trump's Homeland Security Pick Mullin Faces Challenges

Mullin to inherit a department beset by issues like immigration enforcement, disaster response, and airport security

Mar. 17, 2026 at 10:18am

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Should Sen. Markwayne Mullin be approved as the next secretary of Homeland Security, he will walk into the department's sprawling Washington, D.C., campus with his work cut out for him. Immigration enforcement is at a crossroads, disaster-hit states and their lawmakers are angry at delayed federal assistance, and frustrated travelers face long airport security lines due to a monthlong funding battle in Congress.

Why it matters

Mullin's confirmation would come at a critical time for the Department of Homeland Security, which has faced a range of challenges under the previous administration, including tensions over immigration policies, disaster response issues, and funding disputes with Congress.

The details

Mullin, a former mixed martial arts fighter, has earned a reputation as a combative presence in the Senate. After 13 years in Congress, he has the confidence of fellow lawmakers and is expected to follow the White House's policy priorities. A top challenge for Mullin would be taking over the administration's centerpiece policy of mass deportations, which has triggered a surge of immigrant arrests, sparked fear in communities, and raised concerns about detention and enforcement tactics. Mullin will also inherit a Federal Emergency Management Agency mired in upheaval and uncertainty over the administration's attempts to shift disaster responsibility to states and Trump's threats to abolish the agency.

  • 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

The Oklahoma senator who has been nominated to be 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 said a full audit of the Department of Homeland Security is needed.

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.

Mike Johnson

The Republican House Speaker from Louisiana, who is close to Mullin.

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What they’re saying

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

— John Kennedy, U.S. Senator, Louisiana (ksgf.com)

“He's going to have to reconcile … are we about numbers or about quality?”

— John Sandweg, Former Acting Director, ICE (ksgf.com)

“This is what the Democrats have been clamoring for. They wanted a new change and shake-up in the leadership, and it's now happening.”

— John Thune, U.S. Senate Majority Leader, South Dakota (ksgf.com)

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 Homeland Security secretary comes at a critical juncture for the department, which has faced a range of challenges under the previous administration. He will need to navigate complex issues like immigration enforcement, disaster response, and airport security, while also working to rebuild trust and relationships with Congress and state and local governments.