Trump's DHS pick Markwayne Mullin breaks silence... as insiders warn 'this is super high risk'

By ROSS IBBETSON, ASSOCIATE EDITOR and PHILLIP NIETO, US POLITICAL REPORTER 20:31 05 Mar 2026, updated 21:23 05 Mar 2026

Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin has said he is 'excited' after Donald Trump nominated him to take over from Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary.

Mullin, a former MMA fighter, said he had called his father after learning the news, telling reporters: 'A little kid from west Oklahoma gets to serve in the president's cabinet - that's pretty neat.'

The 48-year-old said Noem, who he considers a friend, had been 'tasked with a very difficult job' and said 'she has done the best that she could do under the circumstances.' 

Trump settled on Mullin in part because he comes from a safe seat in heavily Republican Oklahoma and 'looks good on television,' a source told the Daily Mail.

'This is super high-risk. The department is shut down,' the source said. 'They went to the reddest state in the union to replace her.'

Noem's firing comes as the vast majority of the department remains shuttered due to a lapse in congressional funding. The source said Mullin could be the figure who gets DHS up and running again.

Trump described the former MMA fighter as a 'MAGA warrior' who 'gets along well with people' and is known for displaying the 'wisdom and courage' it takes to continue with the administration's America First policy. 

'Markwayne 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,' the president wrote. 

Mullin reportedly found out about his elevated position during lunch. 

According to NBC he 'abruptly' got up after receiving a phone call and quickly exited the room. 

Senator Roger Wicker said he left behind his jacket and a 'plate full of food' as he rushed out.  

Mullin said later that was when he took the call from Trump asking him to serve in his Cabinet. 

'I've got to be honest with you, I wasn't expecting the call today,' Mullin told another reporter.

Mullin has been in Congress for 10 years and earned a reputation as a bulldog. 

He infamously challenged the president of the Teamsters to a brawl during a Senate hearing in 2023. 

And he's had plenty of showdowns with Bernie Sanders, often openly mocking the Independent.

The senator is close with Trump, often dining with the President and visiting his Mar-a-Lago estate.

Senator Majority Leader John Thune even called Mullin the 'Senate whisperer' for Trump, as he has been able to sway his opinion on legislation, Axios reported. 

The senator will enter his new role on March 31. 

Noem will move to a new role as a Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, 'our new Security Initiative in the Western Hemisphere,' the president said.