Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) will get his first taste of life on the other side of the dais today, where he’ll be confronted over the fraught situation surrounding the Department of Homeland Security.
Mullin will testify this morning before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for his nomination to lead DHS.
Mullin’s confirmation is expected to sail through the Senate. HSGAC already scheduled a vote for Thursday morning. Senate GOP leaders are planning to put the nomination on the floor by the end of next week. Most Senate Republicans — and Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) — have praised the pick.
The Rand factor. Notably, HSGAC Chair Rand Paul (R-Ky.) won’t tip his hand on his questions or whether he’ll support Mullin. The pair have history.
Paul told CNBC’s Squawk Box Tuesday that he promised the Trump administration he’d move quickly on Mullin’s nomination but never pledged his vote. Paul added Mullin will face “sufficient scrutiny.”
Democrats’ stand. The hearing comes as DHS has been shut down for more than a month. Senate Democrats remain incensed over two fatal January shootings by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis and demanding reforms to ICE. Mullin’s stock trades are also drawing attention.
Democrats are promising intense questioning of Mullin despite senatorial courtesy.
Sen. Gary Peters (Mich.), HSGAC’s top Democrat, will raise concerns about DHS’ conduct, staffing cuts and the risk of domestic attacks amid the Iran war, according to prepared remarks we obtained. Peters plans to tell Mullin he has “reservations” about the Oklahoma Republican’s “readiness to take on such a significant role at such a critical time.”
“The need for reform and our constitutional responsibility is way more important than any courtesy to colleagues,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) added.
Gabbard’s gauntlet. Meanwhile, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is sure to face fierce questions Wednesday on the Iran war, one day after a key lieutenant, Joe Kent, resigned over the conflict.
Gabbard, who once sold “No War With Iran” t-shirts, tepidly addressed the Iranian situation on Tuesday. Gabbard will also face questions on a FISA extension and her role in a January FBI raid of a Georgia elections office.
Republicans on the Intelligence Committee said they believed President Donald Trump retains full confidence in Gabbard. “I don’t know why he wouldn’t at this stage of the game,” said Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.).
Also appearing with Gabbard at the worldwide threats hearing will be FBI Director Kash Patel and CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
