We, the undersigned citizens of the United States, respectfully urge the Senate to reject the nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. This nomination raises serious concerns regarding qualifications, temperament, and the integrity of the confirmation process itself — concerns we believe warrant careful deliberation and, ultimately, a vote against confirmation.
I. Insufficient Executive and Administrative Experience
The Department of Homeland Security is one of the most complex agencies in the federal government, overseeing border security, immigration enforcement, disaster response, cybersecurity, and counterterrorism operations across hundreds of thousands of employees and contractors. Senator Mullin's background — while distinguished in certain respects — does not include the large-scale executive or administrative experience necessary to lead such an organization. No amount of legislative tenure substitutes for demonstrated capacity to manage a federal department of this magnitude, particularly during a period of institutional turbulence.
II. Concerns About Independence and Judgment
The Secretary of Homeland Security must be willing and able to deliver difficult assessments to the President, Congress, and the American public — even when those assessments are politically inconvenient. Senator Mullin's record reflects a pattern of steadfast loyalty to the executive over independent judgment, including his public support for claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen — claims rejected by courts, election officials, and colleagues across party lines. The American people deserve a DHS Secretary who will prioritize truth and security over political allegiance.
III. A Pattern of Conduct Unbefitting the Office
The Secretary of Homeland Security represents the United States in sensitive law enforcement, intelligence, and diplomatic contexts. Senator Mullin's public conduct raises legitimate questions about his temperament for this role. His 2023 challenge of a union leader to a physical altercation during an official Senate hearing was widely condemned as unprofessional and unbecoming of a federal legislator. Such behavior, if carried into the executive branch, could damage our nation's credibility and the morale of the Department he would be asked to lead.
IV. A Nomination Emerging from Departmental Crisis
Senator Mullin's nomination follows the abrupt dismissal of the previous Secretary amid a public dispute over the use of taxpayer funds for a $220 million advertising campaign. Rather than undertaking a careful, merit-based search for leadership, the administration has moved quickly to install a political ally. The Senate should resist pressure to rubberstamp this nomination and instead conduct rigorous hearings that examine the Department's current challenges and whether Senator Mullin is truly equipped to address them.
V. A Conflict of Interest in the Confirmation Process
Senator Mullin would be confirmed by an institution of which he is currently a member — colleagues who have worked alongside him, formed personal relationships, and share partisan incentives. This dynamic risks undermining the rigor of the confirmation process. We call on every Senator, regardless of party, to evaluate this nomination on its merits alone, and to ask whether Senator Mullin would be nominated for this role were he not a sitting colleague.
The Department of Homeland Security exists to keep the American people safe. That mission demands experienced, independent, and steady leadership. We respectfully submit that Senator Markwayne Mullin does not currently meet that standard, and we urge the Senate to vote against his confirmation.
Respectfully submitted,
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