Mullin and Paul make testy debut at DHS confirmation hearing

The Senate confirmation hearing of Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., to lead the Department of Homeland Security got off to a tense start Wednesday.

Senator Rand Paul, Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, began the hearing by calling Mullin out on his recent comments. In February, it was reported that Mullin called the Kentucky Republican a “weird snake” and suggested he understand why a neighbor of Paul’s attacked him in 2017.

Paul said, “I just wonder whether someone who applauds violence against his political opponents is the right person to lead an agency that has struggled to accept the limits of appropriate use of force.”

Paul continued, “Today, I’ll give you a chance to clear the record.” “Tell me to my face why you think I deserve it. And while you’re at it, explain to the American public why they should trust an angry man to set a proper example for ICE and Border Patrol agents.”

In response, Mullin did not adopt a conciliatory tone.

Mullin told Paul, “We don’t get along. However, sir, that doesn’t stop me from doing my job at all.” “I may have different opinions with everyone in this room, but as Secretary of Homeland, I will protect everyone.”

Paul said, “The record should show, and I think will show, no lack of remorse, no apology, and no remorse for your support, you fully understand the violence inflicted on me.”

Republicans have an 8-7 majority on the committee and Mullin needs a simple majority to advance to the full Senate. Paul’s opposition could complicate his candidacy, though, from Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa. have said will vote in support Mullin’s.

Mullin’s appearance on Wednesday is the first of two appearances this week before the Paul-led panel. President Donald Trump picked Mullin, a close congressional ally of the president, to lead DHS earlier this month after firing Kristi Noem who was embroiled in controversies.

Mullin is a hard-liner who has supported the Trump administration’s immigration policies but is generally well-liked by his Senate colleagues.

He also faced tough questions from the panel’s Democrats, who have been sharply critical of Trump’s mass deportation policies and liberal deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal immigration agents.

The committee’s top Democrat, Senator Gary Peters, D-Mich., questioned Mullin about his response to the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, both of whom were killed by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis earlier this year. Before the investigation began, Mullin accused Preeti, a federal employee ICU nurse, of “insane person,” echoing claims made by Noem shortly after the assassination.

Peters asked, “Can we expect this kind of quick response if you are confirmed as secretary?”

Mullins said, “Those words probably should have been retracted. I shouldn’t have said that and as secretary I wouldn’t say that. The investigation is ongoing.” “Sometimes I’m going to make a mistake and I take responsibility for it. That’s that I went out of there too fast.”

Peters also questioned Mullin, who has never served in the military, about recent comments he made after the start of the war in Iran.

Mullin told Fox News, “War is ugly. It stinks. And if anyone has ever been there and can smell and taste the war going on around you, and feel it in your nose and hear it, it’s something you’ll never forget. And it’s ugly.”

In response to Peters’ questions about his direct experience abroad, Mullin mentioned “classified” official trips while he was a member of the House.

“In 2015, I was asked to train with a very small contingency and go to a certain area,” Mullin said. “During that time, I was asked to meet certain training qualifications,” Mullin said.

“Where did you smell the war, sir?” Peters continued.

Mullin said he “never talked specifically” about the details of the trip.

-This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.