Rand Paul says he won’t vote for Markwayne Mullin as DHS chief: 'Unfit to hold office'

WASHINGTON, DC: Sen Rand Paul, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, announced on Fox News Channel’s 'America Reports' that he will cast a “no” vote on the nomination of Sen Markwayne Mullin to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

Paul condemned Mullin’s temperament and past actions, calling them disqualifying for a role overseeing federal law enforcement.

Mullin previously promised a "better approach" to immigration enforcement and, despite recent criticism of the Department of Homeland Security, pledged that as its leader he would be "protecting everybody."

Rand Paul’s critique of Markwayne Mullin in DHS role

Paul told Fox News on Wednesday, March18, that he believes Mullin is “unfit” to lead the DHS.

Paul referenced criticism of Mullin’s past conduct, saying that the nominee has celebrated violence against him and justified violent behavior. He said that Mullin was “ready to have a fistfight” in a committee setting and that when asked whether he regretted such conduct, Mullin expressed no regret.

He further explained, "In fact, he referred to historical examples of violence as justification. Nobody really in the modern age that I know of, other than Markwayne Mullin, is justifying political scien-, political violence as, ‘Oh well, we need a manly way to settle our differences and sometimes people just need to be punched in the mouth."

When pressed about whether he could support Mullin’s nomination, Paul was clear, “No. I mean, an apology might have had a chance, but he’s had several chances." He also mentioned speaking to Mullin privately, "and he referred to it that we had political differences. And today he said we should set aside our political differences."

He continued, "Well, political differences would be, I’m against the refugee welfare program, and I’ve told him he’s for it."

Senate hearing examines Markwayne Mullin’s DHS plans

Paul further stated, "That’s a political difference. But if I wished violence on his family, that wouldn’t be acceptable. And if he says the violence that happened to me, where I had six ribs broken, my lung damaged, part of my lung removed, two pneumonias."

He concluded, "If he thinks that’s justifiable and he can readily understand it, he can completely understand it. I think that makes him unacceptable and unfit to hold office.” Mullin was questioned by Republican colleagues regarding his nomination to lead the DHS following Kristi Noem’s departure earlier this month.

During the three-hour hearing, topics included reopening the department amid the partial government shutdown, the potential expansion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) centers across the United States, and ICE’s use of judicial warrants. 

Mullin is competing for the position as the DHS enters its fifth week without funding, and concerns about a lack of pay for workers were raised during questioning. "We have to realize that we're putting our homeland and the peace of mind at risk for the American people," Mullin said of the shutdown.

The committee is expected to vote on Mullin’s nomination on March 19, after which it would advance to a full Senate vote.