Mullin on Track for Confirmation Amid DHS Shutdown, Promising ‘Better Approach’ on Deportations

Senator Markwayne Mullin, the president’s nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security, is on track to be confirmed on either Monday or Tuesday after winning the support of all Republicans and two Democrats in a procedural vote. He has promised a “better approach” at deportation operations, as well as a new style of leadership.Mr. Mullin has served in Congress for more than a decade. After being elected to the Senate in 2022, he garnered a reputation as a pugilistic bomb-thrower in committee hearings and in press appearances. Despite that, he is one of the better-liked lawmakers on the Hill, even among some Democrats. On Sunday, two Democrats voted to advance Mr. Mullin’s nomination to a final vote. Senator Martin Heinrich, a relatively progressive lawmaker from New Mexico, surprised many when he announced he would support Mr. Mullin, calling him a “friend.”“We have a very honest and constructive working relationship,” Mr. Heinrich wrote in a statement. “I have also seen first-hand that Markwayne is not someone who can simply be bullied into changing his views, and I look forward to having a Secretary who doesn’t take their orders from Stephen Miller.”He says his relationship with the head of DHS will be critical for his state, which is home to hundreds of federal agents who will report to Mr. Mullin after his confirmation. “I would like a Secretary who I can call and have a constructive conversation with about my state and the unique terrain that exists in the southwest and the proper mix of structure, technology and personnel necessary to effectively secure our border,” Mr. Heinrich wrote, saying that Mr. Mullin has also expressed support for the use of judicial warrants in immigration enforcement. The other Democrat to vote for Mr. Mullin was Senator John Fetterman. One Republican, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, opposes Mr. Mullin’s confirmation, though he did not vote on Sunday. The fact Mr. Mullin was only able to garner the support of 54 senators in this first procedural vote, however, betrays a great deal about how Democrats feel about the Department of Homeland Security under President Trump’s leadership. Typically, senators of both parties will support another sitting senator who has been nominated to a cabinet-level position. Since 2000, five sitting U.S. senators have been nominated to the cabinet. Two of them were confirmed unanimously, while two others received more than 90 votes each. During his confirmation hearing last week, Mr. Mullin had a tense back-and-forth with Dr. Paul, who has voiced his adamant opposition to Mr. Mullin, citing his “anger issues.” Mr. Mullin had said that he understood why Dr. Paul’s neighbor attacked him at home in 2017 — comments which Mr. Mullin defended during the hearing. In conversations with other senators during the hearing, however, Mr. Mullin said that he would make real changes at the department if he is confirmed. He said he wanted to see a “better approach” to how Mr. Trump’s deportation campaign is being carried out. “There is a better approach,” Mr. Mullin told senators, saying he wanted to see ICE as more of a “transport” force rather than being on the “front line.” He says he is willing to sit down with Democrats to figure out how reforms can be put into law.On Saturday, the New York Times reported that Mr. Mullin had already been pursuing such opportunities. According to the Times, Mr. Mullin worked with a Democratic former House colleague, Congressman Josh Gottheimer, on legislation that would require ICE to obtain judicial warrants before going after suspects. The proposal also included protections for “sensitive locations” like schools and churches, though the negotiations did not result in legislation.

Mullin on Track for Confirmation Amid DHS Shutdown, Promising ‘Better Approach’ on Deportations

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