DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin says he tried to enlist three times after 9/11

WASHINGTON, DC: With the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaching, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin made an unexpected revelation about how the attacks changed his life.

Speaking on Fox News, Mullin said he tried to join the military three times after September 11, 2001, but was rejected because of previous injuries.

The disclosure came as Mullin reflected on the attacks that led to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, which he now leads.

Mullin says 9/11 changed everything

Fox News host Brian Kilmeade asked Mullin how he planned to mark the anniversary.

Mullin said he would spend the day at the Pentagon with friends and family members but added that he does not like to “celebrate” the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

“9/11 changed my life,” Mullin said. 

“To be honest with you, 9/11 isn’t a day that I just love to celebrate because some people do celebrate the success that American [sic] has. For me, it’s it’s it puts kind of a bad taste in my mouth and I think it does to a lot of other people,” Mullin said.

Mullin also recalled where he was when the attacks happened.

He said he was working in construction at a customer's house when he learned what had happened.

“My life drastically changed from that point,” Mullin said. “I took a totally different approach to life after that one.”

When Kilmeade asked whether the attacks inspired his eventual move into politics, Mullin said no.

Instead, he said his immediate response was to try joining the armed forces.

Mullin tried to enlist in the military thrice

“I actually tried to join the military three times after that,” Mullin said.

“Because of some previous injuries, they never would accept me.”

Mullin did not specify the injuries or say when the three enlistment attempts were made.

Mullin has never claimed to have served in the US military. During his confirmation hearing, he also distinguished his civilian overseas work from military service and said he had never worn the uniform.

His public biographies have described him as a businessman, former professional mixed martial arts fighter and longtime Oklahoma lawmaker.

Before entering politics, Mullin ran his family’s plumbing business and competed professionally in mixed martial arts. He later served in the House of Representatives and the Senate before becoming Homeland Security Secretary.

9/11 reflection takes on new meaning for DHS secretary

Mullin is now marking the anniversary as the secretary of the department created after the deadliest terrorist attack in modern American history.

Nearly 3,000 people were killed on September 11, 2001, and DHS was later established to coordinate the country's response to terrorism and other security threats.

Mullin said holding his current position made the anniversary feel more personal than before.

“As the Secretary of Homeland, it does hit home even harder because back then, when I was wanting to get in the fight, because of President Trump today, he’s put me in the fight,” he added.

Mullin was confirmed as Homeland Security Secretary in March after serving in Congress for more than a decade.