A ‘Humbled’ Markwayne Mullin Reveals Who He Called First After He Was Tapped For DHS Secretary

Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma told reporters on Thursday that he called his wife and his dad after President Donald Trump asked him to take over at the Department of Homeland Security.

Trump announced on Truth Social that Mullin would take over for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem beginning on March 31, pending Mullin’s Senate confirmation. The Oklahoma senator told reporters on Capitol Hill that he received the call from Trump just minutes before Trump released his statement.

Mullin described the opportunity as exciting and humbling, adding, “I had to call my dad because, I mean, it happened quick, so I had to call my wife and call my dad both. It’s just really humbling when you stop and think about it. A little kid from Westville, Oklahoma, gets to serve in the president’s Cabinet. That’s pretty neat.”

Trump’s major Cabinet shakeup comes after Noem has faced criticism over the Homeland Security Department’s response to the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Noem was also grilled by lawmakers in a Senate hearing earlier this week and said that Trump approved questionable contracts for advertisements starring the DHS secretary worth over $200 million. The president said on Thursday that Noem will be reassigned to help lead a new security initiative that is set to be announced on Saturday.

In his announcement, Trump said that Noem had served the administration “well and has had numerous and spectacular results (especially on the Border!).” The president added, “I thank Kristi for her service at ‘Homeland.'”

Mullin, a close friend of Noem’s, told reporters that he hadn’t yet spoken to the ousted DHS secretary, but would soon.

“Our families are very close, and this happened very quick, so we’re going to go have a conversation with her in just a second,” he said.

Trump called Mullin a “warrior” and said the Oklahoman “will work tirelessly to Keep our Border Secure, Stop Migrant Crime, Murderers, and other Criminals from illegally entering our Country, End the Scourge of Illegal Drugs and, MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN.”

Mullin has served in the Senate since 2023 and was a member of the House for 10 years before that. He currently serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee; the Appropriations Committee; the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee; and the Indian Affairs Committee. Mullin is also a former wrestler and professional mixed martial arts fighter who posted a 5-0 career record in MMA.