Sen. Markwayne Mullin, President Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security, cleared his first hurdle Thursday by winning approval in a Senate committee, overcoming the opposition of fellow Republican Sen. Rand Paul.
Mr. Paul joined most Democrats in voting against Mr. Mullin, but Sen. John Fetterman, Pennsylvania Democrat, backed the nomination, allowing it to advance on an 8-7 vote in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
Only Sen. Gary Peters, the committee’s ranking Democrat, spoke about the nominee, saying Mr. Mullin is “not up to that challenge” of helping DHS.
“He doesn’t have the experience of the temperament to lead this critical department,” Mr. Peters said.
Mr. Paul didn’t speak on Thursday but made clear during a confirmation hearing a day earlier that he is not a fan of Mr. Mullin, who earlier this year referred to Mr. Paul as a “freaking snake” and said he understood why someone in 2017 brutally assaulted Mr. Paul, breaking six of his ribs and leaving him with years of pain and recovery.
“I just wonder if someone who applauds violence against his political opponents is the right person to lead an agency that has struggled with limits to the proper use of force,” said Mr. Paul, Kentucky Republican.
Given a chance to apologize, Mr. Mullin declined.
“We just don’t get along,” he told Mr. Paul, though he asked for a chance to “earn the job” of leading Homeland Security.
Mr. Trump said on March 5 he was ending Kristi Noem’s tenure as chief of Homeland Security and nominating Mr. Mullin to fill the job.
Mr. Paul, despite his thoughts about Mr. Mullin, sped the nomination through his committee; Thursday’s vote came just two weeks after the surprise nomination.
Republican backers said they hope Mr. Mullin will get the department on track.
“Senator Mullin is a fighter and a true patriot. I cannot think of a better pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security at this time to keep Americans safe,” said Sen. Ashley Moody, a Florida Republican who voted for him in the committee.
Senate Majority Leader Thune, South Dakota Republican, said Mr. Mullin will be confirmed early next week.
He is expected to tee up a first procedural test vote for Sunday, with a final vote on Monday.
Mr. Trump has said he wants the new secretary in the job by the end of the month.
Mr. Mullin, a plumber by trade and a member of Congress since 2013, brings little experience in homeland security matters. He does not serve on committees or subcommittees with direct oversight of the department.
What he does have is a friendship with Mr. Trump. He said they bonded over family, after Mr. Mullin’s son suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Mr. Trump offered to send his personal plane to get them to a rehabilitation center, regularly checked in on the family, and made a personal visit amid the 2020 campaign — a visit that Mr. Mullin said actually was the catalyst for his son’s memory improvement.
In his hearing this week, Mr. Mullin promised a calmer approach to immigration enforcement and said his goal is to get DHS out of the headlines.
• Lindsey McPherson contributed to this story.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.