Everything You Need To Know About Markwayne Mullin, Trump’s Pick To Replace Kristi Noem At DHS

President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he was replacing Kristi Noem as the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with Republican Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin. The personnel change will occur March 31. 

“We’re excited about it, excited to get to work, but we still got the nomination process,” Mullin said Thursday to reporters, according to CNBC. 

“We’re wanting to get the Department of Homeland Security working for the American people, and that’s going to be our focus,” he said. “And so we’re open to new ideas, doing things that, as I said, takes care of the job we need to get done.”

Mullin also told reporters that he and Trump are “great friends,” adding that they “get along great,” according to NBC News.

Mullin, 48, is an Oklahoma native and the youngest of seven children. He enrolled in Missouri Valley College on a wrestling scholarship in 1996, but dropped out the following year to rescue the family plumbing business after his father fell ill. Mullin later received an associate’s degree in applied science from the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology in 2010. (RELATED: ‘He’s Respected’: Democrat Senator Praises Trump’s Pick To Replace Kristi Noem At DHS) 

“A MAGA Warrior, and former undefeated professional MMA fighter, Markwayne truly gets along well with people, and knows the Wisdom and Courage required to Advance our America First Agenda,” Trump wrote in his Truth Social announcement, made Thursday. 

Mullin enjoyed a stint as a mixed martial arts fighter between 2006 and 2007, retiring undefeated. He was honored by the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016.

True to his roots, Mullin challenged Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien to a cage fight for charity in 2023.

“An attention-seeking union Teamster boss is trying to be punchy after our Senate hearing. Okay, I accept your challenge. MMA fight for charity of our choice. Sept 30th in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I’ll give you 3 days to accept,” Mullin wrote on social media.

Mullin confronted O’Brien in person later that year during a congressional hearing.

“Quit the tough guy act in these Senate hearings. You know where to find me. Any place, any time, cowboy,” Mullin said, reading one of O’Brien’s past tweets aloud. 

“Sir, this is a time. This is a place. You want to run your mouth. We can be two consenting adults. We can finish it here,” Mullin said.

“Okay, that’s fine. Perfect,” O’Brien responded.

“You want to do it now?”

“I’d love to do it right now.”

“Well, stand your butt up then.”

“You stand your butt up.” 

Mullin stood up, before independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders interrupted the catfight. Mullin and O’Brien buried the hatchet in 2025, appearing in a video together. (RELATED: Markwayne Mullin Rips Bernie Sanders To His Face For Being Congressional Relic) 

Let’s be honest… the last time @TeamsterSOB and I were in a hearing room together, we almost came to blows.

President Trump brought business and labor together in this election. I trust his pick. Let’s finish this fight. 🇺🇸💪 pic.twitter.com/xZ200Ub289

— Markwayne Mullin (@SenMullin) February 19, 2025

Mullin attempted to rescue five American citizens — a woman and her four children — from Afghanistan in September 2021, according to The Washington Post. His efforts were rebuffed by the U.S. embassy. 

Mullin took aim at former President Joe Biden, accusing Biden of poorly executing the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. 

“And when I say that blood is on his hands, that means President Biden’s hands? I mean that with everything in my heart,” Mullin told Fox News’ Bret Baier in September 2021.

“It’s his fault. I wouldn’t have been over there – I wouldn’t have even thought about going if it wasn’t for his failure. I wouldn’t have put my life in danger. I wouldn’t have put my kids and my wife through that I wouldn’t have put anybody through it,” Mullin continued. The senator is married to his high school sweetheart. The couple have six children. 

Mullin attracted positive attention within the Republican Party during negotiations over the “Big Beautiful Bill.” Mullin “served as an informal liaison between the House and the Senate during negotiations, helping to relay concerns between the chambers, which are often at odds,” according to CNBC. 

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced his disapproval of Mullin’s appointment Thursday. 

“I’ve been asked if I would support Sen. Mullin as Noem’s replacement,” Schumer wrote on social media. 

“The answer is a resounding NO. The rot in DHS is deep, much deeper than any individual.”

“It’s a question of policy not personnel. The Senate should not consider any DHS Secretary nominee until DHS and ICE are reined in.”

Mullin should be able to count on support from Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, who wrote Thursday, “I’m not sure how many fellow Democrats will vote to support our colleague [Mullin] as the next DHS Secretary, but I am AYE.” 

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