Controversial MAGA Senator clears first hurdle to becoming next DHS chief

Bloomberg reports Mullin's nomination advanced in Senate procedural vote

Mar. 22, 2026 at 7:20pm

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A controversial Republican senator has cleared his first hurdle toward becoming the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, according to a new report. The Senate voted 53-47 to advance Sen. Markwayne Mullin's nomination in a procedural vote, signaling he has enough support to be confirmed as the next DHS chief.

Why it matters

Mullin's nomination comes at a time of heightened tensions, with Democrats refusing to support a bill to reopen part of DHS that has been shut down for over a month, disrupting operations at the Transportation Security Administration and causing security lines to grow at airports across the country.

The details

The procedural vote happened just days after Mullin's contentious confirmation hearing in the Senate Homeland Security Committee, where he was confronted by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) about his previous comments supporting an attacker who injured Paul. President Trump has threatened to deploy ICE agents to airports to address the growing security lines, but Democrats have called for reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement after agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens during a recent surge in Minneapolis.

  • The Senate voted on Mullin's nomination on March 22, 2026.
  • Mullin's confirmation hearing in the Senate Homeland Security Committee took place just a few days prior to the procedural vote.

The players

Sen. Markwayne Mullin

A Republican senator from Oklahoma who has been nominated to become the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Sen. Rand Paul

A Republican senator from Kentucky who confronted Mullin about his previous comments during Mullin's confirmation hearing.

President Donald Trump

The former president who has threatened to deploy ICE agents to airports to address growing security lines.

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What’s next

The full Senate will now vote on whether to confirm Mullin as the next DHS Secretary.

The takeaway

Mullin's nomination has sparked controversy and raised concerns about the future direction of the Department of Homeland Security, particularly around immigration enforcement and airport security, as the agency faces ongoing challenges and political divisions.