Rand Paul lashes out at Trump’s DHS nominee, says Markwayne Mullin is ‘a man with anger issues’
Sen. Rand Paul lashed out at fellow Republican Markwayne Mullin on Wednesday, calling him “a man with anger issues” and saying his combativeness made him a questionable choice to become secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
Mr Paul, who suffered a violent attack by a neighbor in 2017 that left him with six broken ribs and years of complications, said he was “shocked” by Mr Mullin’s comments earlier this year when he called Mr Paul a “fucking snake” and said he “completely understands” why the senator was beaten.
“I just wonder if someone who applauds violence against his political opponents is the right person to lead an agency that is struggling to confront the limits of the proper use of force,” Mr. Paul said.
Mr. Paul also said that Mr. Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, lied when he said he personally confronted Mr. Paul about the attack.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., speaks with…
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“Tell me to my face, if that’s what you believe,” Mr. Paul said. “Tell the world why you think I deserve to be attacked.”
Mr Mullin bristled at being called a liar, saying he had confronted Mr Paul. And he didn’t back down from his words.
“It seems like you are fighting the Republicans more than you are working with us,” he told Mr. Paul.
“We just don’t get along,” he said. “However, sir, that doesn’t stop me from doing my job at all. …Let me win the job.”
President Trump tapped Mr. Mullin to replace Kristi Noem as head of DHS.
Mr. Mullin appeared before the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which has jurisdiction over his nomination.
Mr. Mullin, a former mixed martial arts fighter who challenged a witness to a fight during a congressional hearing, is a standout figure on Capitol Hill.
Mr. Paul’s criticism of Mr. Mulliwas was echoed on Wednesday by Senator Gary Peters, the panel’s top Democrat, who also questioned the nominee’s temperament.
