Markwayne Mullin sworn-in as DHS secretary

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) was sworn in Tuesday as the new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary after President Trump fired his predecessor. 

Attorney General Pam Bondi swore Mullin in at a ceremony held in the Oval Office surrounded by his family and other administration officials.

Trump said he has “a lot of  confidence” in Mullin who he called “a great American patriot” while speaking of Mullin’s 13-year career in Congress.

“He really has been outstanding,” Trump said of Mullin. “He has been a close and vital partner in helping us secure the border, stop migrant crime, end the scourge of illegal drugs and make America safe again and make America great again.”

“Everything he’s done has been good,” Trump said. “I say everything he touched has turned to gold.”

He spoke of Mullin’s Native American heritage – he is a member of the Cherokee Nation – saying Mullin is now the first member of the Cherokee Nation to serve as a member of the Cabinet.

“I didn’t know all of these things,” Trump joked. “I would’ve picked him faster if I had known. I would’ve made a quicker decision.”

 The president also mentioned Mullin’s business and wrestling career.

“I have no doubt that as he takes the helm of DHS, Markwayne will fight for homeland security, the United States and securing the country and making it really strong and the way it should be,” Trump said.

He said that under Mullin, DHS will continue the “record-setting efforts” to deport illegal immigrants.

Mullin said the swearing-in was “the most nervous” he’s ever been and said it was “humbling” to have the president speak of him in such a good light.

“I don’t care what color your state is, I don’t care if you’re red or you’re blue, at the end of the day my job is to be secretary of homeland and to protect everybody the same and we will do that,” he said.

The Senate confirmed Mullin Monday to lead the department that has not been shut down for almost two months. Two Democrats joined Republicans to approve Mullin’s nomination in a 54-45 vote.

Trump’s former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem departed as the head of the agency in early March after a pair of tumultuous hearings on Capitol Hill that revealed she spent $220 million on a controversial ad campaign that she said Trump approved. 

Some lawmakers and administration officials indicated that was the “last straw” for Noem following the killing of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis that sparked public outrage. 

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