Teamsters Leader Praises Mullin's DHS Nomination After Past Confrontation

Sean O'Brien, who nearly brawled with Mullin in 2023, now supports his nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Teamsters President Sean O'Brien has offered unexpected praise for Sen. Markwayne Mullin's (R-Okla.) nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), despite the two nearly coming to blows during a Senate hearing in 2023. O'Brien said that if anyone is 'willing to stand their butt up to protect America, it's Markwayne Mullin'.

Why it matters

The praise from O'Brien, who previously criticized Mullin on social media, is a sign of reconciliation between the two men after their heated confrontation. Mullin's nomination to replace Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem comes amid an ongoing shutdown of DHS over Democratic demands for reform within Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The details

In November 2023, Mullin, a former mixed martial arts fighter, challenged O'Brien to a physical fight during a Senate hearing. The viral exchange came after O'Brien made several posts criticizing Mullin on social media. However, the two later met at the request of President Trump, and O'Brien apologized, saying he should have read Mullin's bio. Since then, the two have talked often, with O'Brien describing Mullin as a 'workout fanatic' who 'pulled himself up from his own bootstraps'.

  • In November 2023, Mullin and O'Brien nearly brawled during a Senate hearing.
  • In July 2024, Mullin said O'Brien apologized to him after President Trump requested the pair meet again.
  • In March 2026, O'Brien offered praise for Mullin's nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

The players

Sean O'Brien

The president of the Teamsters union, who nearly brawled with Mullin during a Senate hearing in 2023.

Markwayne Mullin

A Republican senator from Oklahoma and former mixed martial arts fighter, who was nominated to lead the Department of Homeland Security in 2026.

Kristi Noem

The current Secretary of Homeland Security, whom Mullin is nominated to replace.

Chuck Schumer

The Senate Minority Leader, who signaled that his support for Mullin's nomination hinges on Mullin's commitment to reforms within Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Bernie Sanders

The senator from Vermont who attempted to calm the confrontation between Mullin and O'Brien during the 2023 Senate hearing.

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What they’re saying

“If anyone is willing to stand their butt up to protect America, it's Markwayne Mullin.”

— Sean O'Brien, Teamsters President (The Hill)

“Sir, this is a time, this is a place. You want to run your mouth, we can be two consenting adults, we can finish it here.”

— Markwayne Mullin, Senator (The Hill)

“Hold it. No, no, no, sit down. Sit down! You're a United States senator, sit down.”

— Bernie Sanders, Senator (The Hill)

“He said, 'Out of all of the people that I should have read their bio on, I should read yours, and I didn't,'”

— Markwayne Mullin, Senator (The Hill)

“I've been asked if I would support Sen. Mullin as Noem's replacement. The answer is a resounding NO. The rot in DHS is deep, much deeper than any individual. It's a question of policy not personnel. The Senate should not consider any DHS Secretary nominee until DHS and ICE are reined in.”

— Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader (The Hill)

What’s next

The Senate will consider Mullin's nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer signaling that his support hinges on Mullin's commitment to reforms within Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The takeaway

The unexpected praise from Teamsters President Sean O'Brien for Mullin's DHS nomination, despite their past confrontation, highlights the potential for political reconciliation and the importance of looking beyond personal differences to focus on shared goals of protecting America.