Mullin heads into contentious DHS hearing as Democrats demand immigration overhaul

Senate Democrats are set to question Sen. Markwayne Mullin, Republican of Oklahoma, during his confirmation hearing Wednesday, his first hurdle to becoming the next head of Homeland Security.

Mullin’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee comes as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) remains shuttered due to Democrats’ desire for tough reforms to the agency’s immigration enforcement operations.

Senate Democrats on the panel plan to use the requests to gauge Mullin’s willingness to make changes at the agency. They have argued since the reassignment of current DHS Secretary Kristi Noem that changes must go beyond a change in personnel.

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Senator Markwayne Mullin speaks to reporters on the steps of the Capitol in Washington, DC (Tom Williams/Getty Images)

“He’s made some pretty inflammatory statements that reflect his resistance to reform and would make him incompetent unless he has a clear explanation and even a retraction,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, told Fox News Digital.

Asked if he wanted assurances on changes to the agency, Blumenthal said Mullin “needs to make commitments to reform.”

“If he fails to commit to deep and fundamental reform, he should be defeated and voted out,” he said.

Mullin also has a frosty relationship with Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who chairs the committee. When asked how the hearing might go, Paul replied: “Come tomorrow and you will find out more.” »

Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, the top Democrat on the Homeland Committee, said he plans to give Mullin a fair share, but he has questions about his colleague’s views on how the agency might change with him at the helm.

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Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut, speaks to the press outside the Senate Chamber after voting at the U.S. Capitol on February 27, 2025. (Getty Images)

“Of course, I would love to get his assessment of how he sees things currently and what he might change,” Peters told Fox News Digital. “That would be a good range of questions.”

Senate Republicans are racing to move Mullin through the process, given that President Donald Trump wants Mullin and Noem admitted by March 31. The confirmation hearing is the first step, and despite Democratic resistance, Mullin will likely clear that hurdle and head toward a full Senate vote later this month.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said he and his leadership team had not tried to muster votes for Mullin, but noted that Democrats would “decide to turn on one of their colleagues in the Senate” after getting exactly what they wanted: Noem replaced.

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune speaks during a press conference with Senate Republican leaders following a policy luncheon at the Capitol in Washington, DC, October 28, 2025. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)

“He has good, strong relationships across the aisle,” Thune said. “And I mean, that’s what the Democrats were asking for. They wanted another change and shake-up in leadership, and it’s happening.”

Although Mullin will participate in a hearing that will test his relationships with his colleagues across the aisle, he has at least one Democratic friend on the committee.

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Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who almost immediately came out in favor of Mullin’s nomination, said he is still in conversation with the lawmaker about DHS reforms. Fetterman planned to meet with Mullin before the hearing.

“Is it controversial to talk to members of the party across the aisle? It might be controversial to some people, but it’s going to be an ongoing dialogue with him,” Fetterman said. “You know, I said, he’s a good guy, and I’ve gotten to know him on a CODEL over the years.”