Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), the White House pick for Homeland Security secretary, testifies during a Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing, Wednesday on Capitol Hill in Washington. Sen. Markwayne Mullin moved a step closer to becoming President Trump’s next Homeland Security secretary after a Senate committee Thursday narrowly advanced his nomination. That vote included a “no” from the Republican chairman, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, and a “yes” from a Democrat, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. The approval comes as the parties are fighting bitterly over the policies of the Department of Homeland Security, leading to a funding lapse that is now in its 34th day. AdvertisementDuring his testimony before the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, Mullin tried to make the case that he would be a steady hand after the tumultuous tenure of Kristi Noem, Trump’s first Homeland Security secretary.

Source: Los Angeles Times March 19, 2026 18:25 UTC