President Donald Trump on Thursday announced his pick of Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin to serve as the next Secretary of Homeland Security, a role that will need approval from the U.S. Senate. Mullin is slated to replace Kristi Noem, who has faced bipartisan criticism in hearings this week over a $220 million ad contract.
Early life and business background
Mullin is the youngest of seven children and grew up in Westville, Oklahoma, near the state’s eastern border with Arkansas. He is the son of a plumbing contractor and initially enrolled at Missouri Valley College on a wrestling scholarship. Family circumstances drew him back home when his father’s health declined, and Mullin assumed control of the family plumbing business. He expanded that business across Oklahoma.
Beyond his business activities, Mullin competed as a mixed martial arts fighter and has been inducted into the Oklahoma Wrestling Hall of Fame. He also once hosted a talk show that offered home repair advice.
Path to Congress and the Senate
Mullin entered national politics when he won election to represent Oklahoma’s 2nd congressional district in November 2012 and took his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in January 2013. He served in that seat for ten years. In 2022, with Senator Jim Inhofe announcing an early resignation, a special election opened a path to the upper chamber. Mullin defeated his Democratic opponent comfortably in November 2022 and began serving in the Senate in January 2023.
As a member of the Cherokee Nation, his election to the Senate made him, at the time of that victory, only the fourth Native American to serve as a U.S. senator.
Policy positions and public stances
Mullin has taken firm positions on a number of polarizing issues. He strongly opposes abortion and has backed multiple measures in Congress intended to tighten restrictions. On immigration, he has advocated for completion of the border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. He also supported the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' that Congress passed last year and which provided additional funding for immigration enforcement.
On social issues, Mullin has consistently opposed transgender women competing in women’s sports. He has been a prominent and steadfast supporter of Donald Trump and has frequently appeared on Fox News as a vocal proponent of Republican positions.
The viral hearing moment
Mullin drew international attention during a 2023 Senate health committee hearing when he stood up from his chair to confront Teamsters President Sean O’Brien, challenging him to 'stand your butt up' and fight. Mullin was responding to an X post from O’Brien that called the senator 'a clown, a fraud' and accused him of playing a tough guy in Senate hearings.
'Sir, this is a time, this is a place, if you want to run your mouth, we can be two consenting adults, we can finish it here,' Mullin said while pointing to the floor separating them.
The exchange escalated with back-and-forth remarks that ended with both men trading 'stand your butt up' retorts. Mullin rose and moved to remove his wedding ring before Senator Bernie Sanders, who was chairing the hearing, intervened with: 'You’re a United States senator, sit down.'
Personal life
Mullin is married to Christie Mullin. The couple resides in Westville, Oklahoma, and they are parents to six children: Jayce, Jim, Andrew, Larra, Ivy and Lynette.
Next steps and sourcing
Mullin’s nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security must be confirmed by the Senate before he can assume the post. The development follows bipartisan scrutiny of his predecessor’s handling of a $220 million ad contract. Sources for this factbox include Reuters and the Almanac of American Politics.