President Donald Trump’s border czar Tom Homan was asked about the differences between Senator Markwayne Mullin— Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—and outgoing department Secretary Kristi Noem.
Why It Matters
Trump handpicked Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican, to lead the department beginning at the end of March to replace Noem, whose tenure at DHS has been riddled with controversy amid the administration’s heightened immigration enforcement. Mullin met with senators on Wednesday for a confirmation hearing. If confirmed, Mullin will lead one of the most prominent agencies responsible for immigration and border security, a key cornerstone of Trump’s political agenda.
What To Know
Homan discussed Mullin’s nomination during an interview on Fox News’ The Story with Martha MacCallum Wednesday afternoon. MacCallum asked Homan how he believes Mullin may differ from Noem as secretary.
“I can’t put down what the difference is,” Homan said. “I can tell you that he’s focused on the mission. He has spoken to leadership within the DHS already. He’s heard their ideas. He’s got to speak to a few more, but he’s hearing what they think the issues are. How can we fix it?”
At the Senate hearing, Mullin was posed the question about how he would be different from the exiting secretary by Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, who said Noem has “fundamentally broken the American people’s trust in the Department of Homeland Security.”
Mullin said that “everybody has different leadership styles” and that his is “empowering people.”
“As I said in my opening statement, I want to protect the homeland. I want to bring peace of mind. I want to bring confidence back to the agency.”
Hassan followed up by asking if he would “give the green light to lawless behavior.” Mullin said he would “operate within the parameters and the policies and the laws that you guys set for me” and “of course” the U.S. Constitution.
Polls suggest Americans were not happy with Noem’s leadership at DHS. A recent YouGov survey of 1,563 adults from March 6-9 showed that only 20 percent of Americans view her favorably, compared to 53 percent who saw her unfavorably.
Noem’s leadership came under scrutiny following the fatal shootings of two American citizens, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, by federal immigration officers. Her handling of those killings, initially alleging Pretti was linked to domestic terrorism, also drew criticism.
DHS came under fire for spending more than $300 million on three private luxury jets, including two Gulfstream G700s purchased in October and a Boeing 737, nicknamed the “Big Beautiful Jet,” according to Axios.
What People Are Saying
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson, to Newsweek: “President Trump has ended Biden’s border crisis and deported countless dangerous criminal illegal aliens. Senator Mullin is perfectly suited to lead the Department of Homeland Security and work closely with President Trump to continue building on his many successes. Whether it be protecting the homeland from bad actors, stopping dangerous drugs from flowing into American communities, or removing the worst-of-the-worst criminal illegal aliens, Senator Mullin will work tirelessly to implement the President’s agenda.”
Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican who got into a heated exchange with Mullin during the hearing, said he would not confirm him, reported The Hill: “I think there are anger issues. I think there’s a lack of contrition, both about the violence that was perpetrated on me, really the violent episode he was involved in the Senate committee where he’s told the media, frankly, that he doesn’t regret it.”
What Happens Next
Other senators have not said whether they will vote to confirm Mullin. Republicans hold a 53-47 advantage in the Senate.
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