Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., faces his first confirmation hurdle Wednesday to become the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, with Senate Democrats on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee planning to press him on demands for agency reforms.
The hearing takes place as DHS remains partially shuttered amid Democratic demands for stringent reforms to the agency's immigration enforcement operations. President Donald Trump has said he wants Mullin in place and outgoing Secretary Kristi Noem out by March 31.
Committee Chair Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., declined to preview how the hearing would go when asked by reporters. "Come tomorrow, and you'll find out more," Paul said.
What the Left Is Saying
Senate Democrats on the panel intend to use the hearing to gauge Mullin's willingness to make fundamental changes at DHS, arguing that personnel shifts alone are insufficient.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., told Fox News Digital that Mullin has made "incendiary statements" that reflect resistance to reform. "He's made some pretty incendiary statements that reflect his resistance to reform and would make him unqualified, unless he has a clear explanation and even retraction," Blumenthal said. The senator added that Mullin "needs to make commitments for reform" and should be rejected if he fails to do so.
Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., the top-ranking Democrat on the committee, said he plans to give Mullin a fair hearing but has questions about his views on potential agency changes. "Certainly, I'd like to get his assessment of how he sees things currently and what he might change," Peters said. "That would be a fair range of questions."
What the Right Is Saying
Senate Republicans are moving quickly to advance Mullin's confirmation, noting that Democrats demanded leadership changes at DHS and are now getting what they asked for.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Democrats would "decide to turn on one of their own colleagues in the Senate" after getting exactly what they wanted: Noem replaced. "He's got good, strong relationships on the other side of the aisle," Thune said. "And I mean, this is what the Democrats were clamoring for. They wanted a new change and shake-up in the leadership, and it's now happening."
Thune noted that Republican leaders have not needed to actively corral votes for Mullin, suggesting confidence in his confirmation.
Mullin does have at least one Democratic supporter on the committee. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., has publicly backed Mullin's nomination and planned to meet with him ahead of the hearing. "I've said it, he's a good dude, and I got to know him on a CODEL over the years," Fetterman said.
What the Numbers Show
Mullin must clear the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee before receiving a full Senate vote. Trump has set a March 31 deadline for Mullin to replace Noem, who was fired from the position.
The DHS funding fight has included multiple failed attempts to pass continuing resolutions, with Senate Democrats calling for funding after previously voting against measures they said did not include sufficient immigration enforcement reforms.
The Bottom Line
Mullin is expected to clear the committee hurdle despite Democratic opposition, with his confirmation likely moving to a full Senate vote later this month. The hearing will test whether Mullin can satisfy Democratic demands for substantive agency reform while maintaining support from his Republican colleagues. Key questions remain about what commitments, if any, Mullin is willing to make on DHS policy changes and whether those assurances will satisfy his Democratic critics.