Fox News' Chad Pergram breaks down Trump's pick of Markwayne Mullin after Kristi Noem firing

WASHINGTON,DC: Fox News' Chad Pergram explained why President Donald Trump chose Markwayne Mullin to replace Kristi Noem as Homeland Security secretary, saying the Oklahoma senator is well-known in the Senate and likely confirmable, though his past controversies could resurface during the process.

Pergram detailed path for Trump's DHS pick Markwayne Mullin on Thursday, March 5.

Chad Pergram outlines why Mullin could be a 'confirmable' pick

During an appearance on America Reports, the Fox News chief congressional correspondent discussed the political calculus behind Trump’s decision to remove Noem and nominate Mullin to lead the United States Department of Homeland Security.

Pergram said presidents often select people who already have relationships in the Senate when they need a nominee who can realistically clear confirmation.

Explaining the thinking behind such picks, he noted “You have to think about somebody who would be confirmed in the Senate. Usually the Senate looks at people who are one of their own, even if you disagree with their policies, as somebody who’s pretty confirmable.”

According to Pergram, Mullin’s close ties with Republican leadership and familiarity among senators could help smooth the confirmation path.

Democrat Chris Coons reacts to Noem firing

Pergram also revealed that Democratic Senator Chris Coons had already weighed in on the development. When asked whether Mullin could handle the job, Coons gave a cautious answer while taking a jab at the outgoing secretary.

“We’ll see,” Coons said when asked if Mullin could do the job, adding it would be hard “to do any worse basically than Kristi Noem”.

Pergram added that Mullin’s Senate seat in Oklahoma is considered safely Republican, meaning the political balance in the chamber would likely remain unchanged even if he moves into the administration.

Despite predicting a relatively smooth confirmation process, Pergram said some senators may question Mullin’s temperament during hearings.

He pointed to a widely discussed Capitol Hill incident in which Mullin confronted a labor union witness during a Senate hearing.

Describing the moment, Pergram recalled “Markwayne Mullin is a former MMA fighter, and he actually took his wedding ring off and jumped across the dais as though he was going to fight him.”

The confrontation forced lawmakers to restore order, with Senator Bernie Sanders who chaired the hearing stepping in to admonish Mullin.

Markwayne Mullin’s bipartisan relationships 

Even with that controversy, Pergram suggested Mullin’s relationships across the aisle could help him secure enough support to become the next DHS secretary.

He said some Democrats may ultimately back the nominee because they view him as someone who has worked with both parties.

Pergram concluded that Mullin does not need the traditional 60-vote threshold required to overcome a filibuster for legislation.

“They don’t have to get 60 votes. They just need a simple majority,” he explained, referencing Senate rule changes that lowered the confirmation threshold for cabinet positions.