US EditionRand Paul confronts Markwayne Mullin over ‘snake’ remark; says he has ‘anger issues’
Sen. Rand Paul challenged Markwayne Mullin over past remarks condoning violence and questioned his suitability to lead the Department of Homeland Security amid ongoing political tensions.
- On March 18, 2026, Sen. Rand Paul confronted Sen. Markwayne Mullin at Mullin's confirmation hearing, pressing him over remarks that he understood why a neighbor attacked Paul in 2017.
- The dispute traces back to Mullin's February remark that he 'understood completely why his neighbor did what he did', which Paul tied to the 2017 assault that broke six ribs and damaged his lung.
- During his opening remarks, Mullin declined to apologize and said 'I can set it aside' to Paul, asking for a chance to earn his respect.
- The committee is set to vote on Thursday on Mullin's nomination, and even if Paul opposes, Sen. John Fetterman has pledged support, making advancement to the full Senate likely.
- Paul warned that Mullin, President Trump's nominee to replace Kristi Noem, should not oversee ICE and Border Patrol due to his 'anger issues' during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday.
98 Articles
98 Articles
Markwayne Mullin called Rand Paul a 'freaking snake.' Paul questioned whether 'someone who applauds violence' should lead DHS
The Oklahoma senator's confirmation hearing for DHS secretary got off to a combative start, as committee chair Rand Paul went after Mullin over remarks he made praising the neighbor who tackled and injured the Kentucky senator.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin Thinks Dueling Is Legal In The US
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty It would be nice if, just once, President Donald Trump would nominate someone who is qualified, intelligent, well-adjusted, and somewhat grounded in reality to serve in his Cabinet or anywhere else in his administration. Just once. Well, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), the man Trump tapped to replace Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, certainly is not that nominee. This fool thinks dueling is le…
Associated Press News
One 'freaking snake' and no apologies: How the Mullin hearing went off the rails
Senator Rand Paul has made it clear he has little regard for President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security, fellow Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin.
Rand Paul confronts DHS nominee Mullin over 'anger issues' at contentious hearing
U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., leaves his confirmation hearing to be the next Homeland Security secretary in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on March 18, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, the president’s pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security, on Wednesday in his confirmation hearing was challenged with questions about his “ang…
Markwayne Mullin faces stormy DHS hearing; Rand Paul vows no vote
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Oklahoma, faced unexpectedly harsh questioning Wednesday at his confirmation hearing to be Department of Homeland Security secretary, with fellow Republican Sen. Rand Paul vowing to vote against his colleague over “anger issues.”
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