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Markwayne Mullin was sworn in Tuesday as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, replacing Kristi Noem, who was ousted earlier this month. Mullin has served as senator for Oklahoma since 2023 following a decade in the House of Representatives. He joins the Trump administration amid a partial government shutdown, with Democrats demanding reforms to immigration enforcement before fully funding DHS.

“This agency of terror needs to be dismantled,” says Congressmember Delia Ramirez of Illinois. “And whether it is Mullin, whether it is Noem, whether it’s Tom Homan, that agency is dangerous, and every American should say, ‘Enough is enough.’”

Ramirez also comments on the birthright citizenship case before the Supreme Court, the U.S. fuel blockade against Cuba and more.

This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.

AMY GOODMAN: On Tuesday, Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma was sworn in as secretary of homeland security to replace Kristi Noem, who was ousted earlier this month. Attorney General Pam Bondi administered the oath in the Oval Office. Afterwards, President Trump praised Mullin as a great American patriot and former MMA fighter. He also recognized Mullin as the first member of the Cherokee Nation to join a presidential cabinet. Afterwards, a reporter asked Trump how Mullin’s leadership would differ from Noem’s.

DIANA NEROZZI: Do you believe the secretary will run DHS any differently than Kristi Noem did? What do you hope to see as his priorities? PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Well, we had a good run. Look, we created the strongest border, with the help of that man right there. Tom is so incredible, and he’s going to be a big influence here, too. There’s nobody more professional, nobody better. There’s nobody better as a human being. You know, he looks tough, but he’s got a good heart — but not too good. Don’t make it too good. But, you know, we had Tom. We have the safest border we’ve ever had. We have a lot of assets, but a lot of things we can — we can do, and we’re going to do. We have to get criminals out of our country.

DIANA NEROZZI: Do you believe the secretary will run DHS any differently than Kristi Noem did? What do you hope to see as his priorities?

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Well, we had a good run. Look, we created the strongest border, with the help of that man right there. Tom is so incredible, and he’s going to be a big influence here, too. There’s nobody more professional, nobody better. There’s nobody better as a human being. You know, he looks tough, but he’s got a good heart — but not too good. Don’t make it too good. But, you know, we had Tom. We have the safest border we’ve ever had. We have a lot of assets, but a lot of things we can — we can do, and we’re going to do. We have to get criminals out of our country.

AMY GOODMAN: Noem had faced intensifying calls to resign or be impeached over her disastrous handling of Trump’s immigration raids nationwide and the unchecked, violent use of force by her federal agents, leading to the fatal shootings of at least four people, including U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, whom Noem then falsely labeled as “domestic terrorists.” Mullin responded to the shooting of Alex Pretti by describing Pretti as a “deranged individual,” unquote. Mullin also defended the ICE officer who fatally shot Renee Good.

Markwayne Mullin Made Profitable Stock Purchases Days Before US Military Strikes

As DHS secretary, Kristi Noem was also widely accused of corruption. She oversaw a multimillion-dollar self-promotional DHS advertising campaign that cost $220 million. At his Senate confirmation hearing, Mullin said his goal would be to keep the department out of the headlines.

SEN. MARKWAYNE MULLIN: My goal in six months is that we’re not in the lead story every single day. My goal is for people to understand we’re out there, we’re protecting them, and we’re working with them.

SEN. MARKWAYNE MULLIN: My goal in six months is that we’re not in the lead story every single day. My goal is for people to understand we’re out there, we’re protecting them, and we’re working with them.

AMY GOODMAN: Mullin was confirmed 54 to 45 in the Senate. Republican Senator Rand Paul broke from his party to vote against Mullin’s confirmation. The two clashed over comments Mullin made following a violent attack on Senator Paul by his neighbor, in which Paul suffered seven broken ribs and required surgery. Senator Paul questioned whether Mullin had the temperament to lead an agency with a use-of-force problem.

SEN. RAND PAUL: I was shocked that you would justify and celebrate this violent assault that caused me so much pain........

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