Rand Paul confronts Markwayne Mullin over ‘snake’ remark; says he has ‘anger issues’

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chair Rand Paul (R-Ky.) confronted Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) about his past comments calling him a snake, saying “tell it to my face.”

Paul said Mullin has “anger issues” and said the public must be wondering whether the nominee has the temperament to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The beef between the two men stems from comments Mullin made after Paul was attacked by his neighbor.

Paul said Mullin made the comments when confronted by constituents rather than defend a vote.

“Instead of explaining your vote to continue these welfare programs for refugees, you decide to transfer the blame. You told the media that I was a ‘freaking snake’ and that you completely understood why I had been assaulted. I was shocked it would justify and celebrate this violent assault that caused me so much pain and my family so much pain,” Paul said in his opening remarks at Mullin’s confirmation hearing.

“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 to the proper use of force.”

The awkward relationship between the two was noted as soon as Mullin was nominated by President Trump to lead DHS, though Paul had been coy about how he planned to handle the matter.

On Wednesday, he spoke to the matter directly.

“You chose to lash out at me. You went on to brag that you’d already told me to my face that you completely understood and approved of the assault. Well, that’s a lie. You got a chance today. You can either continue to lie or you can correct the record,” Paul said.

“You have never had the courage to look me in the eye and tell me that the assault was justified, so today you’ll have your chance. Today I’ll give you that chance to clear the record. Tell it to my face, if that’s what you believe. Tell it to me today. Tell the world why you believe I deserve to be assaulted from behind. Have six ribs broken and a damaged lung. Tell me to my face why you think I deserved it,” he added.

Paul went on to address another confrontation: Mullin’s past threats during a 2023 hearing to fight Teamsters union president Sean O’Brien, with the senator telling the union leader to “stand your butt up” for a physical fight.

“And while you’re at it,” Paul added, “explain to the American public why they should trust a man with anger issues to set the proper example for ICE and Border Patrol agents,” he said, referencing U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“Explain to the American public how a man who has no regrets about brawling in a Senate committee can set a proper example for over 250,000 men and women who work at Department of Homeland Security.”

Mullin addressed Paul at the top of his opening statement, saying Paul seems to work against the GOP more than he works with them.

“I have to address the remarks the chairman made, calling me a liar. Sir, I think everybody in this room knows that I’m very blunt and direct to the point, and if I have something to say, I’ll say it directly to your face. If you recall back in my house days we actually did have this conversation….I simply addressed that. I said I could understand, because of the behavior you were having, that I can understand why your neighbor did what he did. As far as my terms  ‘snake in the grass,’ sir, I work around this room to try to fix problems. I’ve worked with many people in this room. Seems like you fight Republicans more than you work with us,” Mullin said.

“And as far as me saying that I invoke violence – I don’t think anybody should be hit by surprise. I don’t like that. But if I do have something to say, everybody in this room knows. I’ll come straight to you, I’ll say it publicly and I’ll say it privately, but I’ll never say it behind your back. So for you to say I’m a liar, sir, that’s not accurate.”

Mullin said he hopes they can get past the “political differences we have” and said “I’ve had to really pray about my attitude.”

“The truth is, I have a job to do, and I don’t like to fail at anything at all, so I can set it aside. If you’re willing to set it aside, let me earn your respect,” Mullin said.

Paul did not back down in his first set of questioning.

“You’re unrepentant. The only thing you quibble about is whether I met you somehow when you’re in the house. I don’t think we ever met when you were in the house. And this idea that the only thing you’re upset about is not that you were for violence. What you’re upset about is that I called you a liar because you said it to my face. It’s really more about this machismo that you have,” Paul said.

“You offer no apology today and no regrets. Haven’t, I don’t hear the word apologize. Haven’t heard the word regret. Haven’t heard I misspoke,” Paul said.

Mullin said he would not apologize.

“I did not say I supported it. I said I understood it. There’s a difference,” Mullin said.

Paul said “there’s a pattern of this,” then showing the tape of Mullin confronting O’Brien.

“I get it. It’s about character assassination,” Mullin said. “That’s the way this game is played. I understand it, and you are making this about you, which is fine.”

I’m just repeating what you have done in character assassination. I’m repeating your support for the assault. So that’s somehow something I started?” Paul said.

During his questioning, Sen. Gary Peters (Mich.) the top Democrat on the panel, also questioned Mullin’s temperament.

“This is a role where temperament matters, where judgment matters, and where experience matters,” he said.

“While I’m interested in hearing more about your vision for leading the Department, I do have reservations about your readiness to take on such a significant role at such a critical time.”

Updated at 10:13 a.m. EDT.

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