Democrat John Fetterman says he'll vote 'Yes' for Markwayne Mullin as DHS chief: 'Good dude'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Sen John Fetterman said he plans to support fellow senator Markwayne Mullin to lead the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), praising the Oklahoma Republican as “a good dude” and calling him a “significant upgrade” during an interview with Fox News on Saturday, March 7.

Fetterman made the remarks while appearing on 'Saturday in America' with Kayleigh McEnany, where he discussed President Donald Trump’s decision to nominate Mullin as the replacement for Kristi Noem.

Fetterman said his support stems in part from personal experience working with Mullin on a bipartisan effort abroad.

John Fetterman shares anecdote about Markwayne Mullin

During the interview, Fetterman recalled a 2024 trip he and Mullin took to the Turks and Caicos to advocate for the release of detained Americans.

According to Fetterman, the mission was aimed at helping US citizens who had been imprisoned after authorities found stray ammunition in their luggage— a violation of local law that had led to lengthy detentions.

“I was the only Democrat that joined him on that mission to Turks and Caicos to help save those Americans being locked up in prison because they had a couple random bullets in there accidentally,” Fetterman said.

He added that the experience left him with a favorable view of his Senate colleague. “I mean, he’s a good dude,” Fetterman said. “I know it’s a significant upgrade, and I’m absolutely going to vote for him.”

Fetterman announces support for Mullin on X

Fetterman had already publicly indicated his support for Mullin earlier, announcing his position immediately after Trump revealed the nomination.

Posting on X, the senator wrote that he expected many Democrats to oppose the nomination but made clear that he would vote in favor of confirming Mullin.

“As a member of the Homeland Security Committee + Ranking Member of Subcommittee on Border Security: I’m not sure how many fellow Democrats will vote to support our colleague Mullin as the next DHS Secretary, but I am AYE,” Fetterman wrote.

The statement signaled early bipartisan backing for Mullin’s nomination, even as the decision sparked debate among Democratic lawmakers.

Trump nominated Mullin after announcing he would replace Kristi Noem as the head of DHS. Noem had faced criticism from both Republicans and Democrats over her leadership of the department.

Among the controversies during her tenure were questions surrounding DHS spending as well as backlash over an incident involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, where two American citizens were shot and killed during an enforcement operation.

Many Democrats celebrated Noem's firing while Republicans praised her service and expressed confidence in Mullin.