Markwayne Mullin faces Senate grilling at confirmation hearing for Trump’s new DHS chief: Live updates

Senator Markwayne Mullin, Donald Trump’s choice to replace Kristi Noem as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, is facing his Senate colleagues during a confirmation hearing Wednesday.

Mullin, who is set to be the face of an agency behind the president’s anti-immigration agenda and efforts to deport tens of thousands of people from the country, enters the picture after Trump fired Noem days after she came under bipartisan fire in congressional hearings earlier this month.

Trump has called the Oklahoma senator — a 48-year-old former MMA fighter with no experience in immigration enforcement — a “MAGA warrior” who “truly gets along well with people and knows the wisdom and courage required to advance our America First agenda.” Noem is expected to leave March 31 for a new role as “Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas.”

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Rand Paul rips into Mullin moments into hearing

9:30 a.m.

Republican Sen. Rand Paul, chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, immediately launched into the hearing questioning whether Mullin is an appropriate pick to lead an agency flooded with complaints of violence and unconstitutional use of force.

Paul suffered several broken ribs when he was assaulted by a neighbor in 2017. Mullin allegedly called him a “freaking snake” in response.

“I understand completely why his neighbor did what he did. And I told him that to his face,” Mullin reportedly said.

“I was shocked,” Paul said Wednesday. “I just wonder if someone who applauds violence against their political opponents is the right person to lead an agency that has struggled to accept limits for the proper use of force.”

He said Mullin “continue to lie” or use his testimony as a chance to “clear the record.”

“While you’re at it,” Paul said, Mullin can tell Americans why they “should trust a man with anger issues to run ICE and Border Patrol agents,” Paul added.