Trump's Homeland Security Nominee Mullin Traces Close Bond to Son's Injury

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, Trump's pick to lead DHS, says their friendship grew after the president offered to help with his son's recovery.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 3:09pm

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Sen. Markwayne Mullin, Donald Trump's nominee to replace Kristi Noem as Homeland Security secretary, traces his close bond with the president to a 2020 incident when Mullin's son suffered a severe brain injury during a high school wrestling match. Trump invited Mullin and his son on stage at a rally later that year, offered to fly the family to medical specialists and pay for treatments, and stayed in close contact throughout the recovery process. Mullin, one of Trump's fiercest Senate defenders, is now poised to join the former president's cabinet as the next leader of the Department of Homeland Security.

Why it matters

Mullin's personal connection with Trump is seen as a key factor in his nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security, an agency that was a centerpiece of Trump's immigration crackdown policies. The selection of a trusted Trump ally is aimed at steadying the department after the controversial tenure of outgoing secretary Kristi Noem.

The details

In 2020, Mullin's 15-year-old son Jim suffered a severe brain injury during a high school wrestling match. At a later campaign rally, Trump invited the Mullin family on stage, had Jim sit on his lap, and offered to fly the family to specialists and pay for treatments. Mullin says this act of kindness toward his son cemented their close friendship, even though they were only casual acquaintances before. As Mullin prepares to join Trump's cabinet, the president is placing a high value on personal loyalty in selecting him to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

  • In 2020, Mullin's son Jim suffered a severe brain injury during a high school wrestling match.
  • Later in 2020, Trump invited the Mullin family on stage at a campaign rally, had Jim sit on his lap, and offered to help with medical care.

The players

Sen. Markwayne Mullin

Donald Trump's nominee to replace Kristi Noem as Homeland Security secretary, and one of Trump's fiercest defenders in the U.S. Senate.

Donald Trump

The former president who nominated Mullin to lead the Department of Homeland Security, and who developed a close personal bond with Mullin after offering to help with Mullin's son's medical care.

Jim Mullin

Markwayne Mullin's son, who suffered a severe brain injury during a high school wrestling match in 2020, leading to Trump's outreach and the development of the close relationship between the president and the senator.

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What they’re saying

“You know, someone loves your kids, you're going to love that guy forever. He's a friend of yours.”

— Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Senator

“He was running in one of the toughest elections he had been in, and the guy was still that concerned about my son. We were acquaintances before that. We've been friends ever since.”

— Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Senator

What’s next

The Senate is expected to vote on Mullin's confirmation as Homeland Security secretary in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Mullin's personal connection with Trump, forged through the president's outreach and support during a family crisis, is seen as a key factor in his nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security, an agency central to Trump's immigration policies. This underscores the importance of loyalty and personal relationships in the former president's decision-making.