Markwayne Mullin Sworn In as DHS Secretary (March 2026)

Markwayne Mullin Sworn In as DHS Secretary Amid Ongoing Partial Government Shutdown

On Tuesday, March 24, 2026, Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) was officially sworn in as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security by President Donald Trump at 1:30 p.m. in the Oval Office. His confirmation comes at a precarious moment — the DHS partial government shutdown has now entered its sixth week, with no funding deal finalized and pressure mounting from both sides of the aisle. NBC News is tracking live updates as the new secretary steps into one of the most turbulent periods in DHS history.

Mullin replaces former Secretary Kristi Noem, whose tenure ended ahead of his confirmation. With ICE officers now deployed to assist TSA at airports — creating hours-long security lines for travelers — and congressional negotiations still fragile, Mullin inherits a department in crisis.

Who Is Markwayne Mullin?

Markwayne Mullin is a Republican politician from Oklahoma who served in the U.S. House of Representatives before winning election to the Senate. Known for his blunt, confrontational style, Mullin gained national attention for several high-profile moments on Capitol Hill, including a tense exchange during a Senate hearing that went viral. He has been a staunch ally of President Trump and a vocal advocate for stricter immigration enforcement — making him a natural fit for leading DHS under the current administration.

Before entering politics, Mullin ran a plumbing and HVAC business in Oklahoma, often citing his background as a small businessman to distinguish himself from career politicians. His confirmation to lead DHS marks a significant transition from legislator to executive branch official at a defining moment for border and homeland security policy.

With Mullin departing the Senate, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has appointed Alan Armstrong to fill the vacated Senate seat, according to reports on his Senate confirmation.

The DHS Partial Government Shutdown: Six Weeks and Counting

The Department of Homeland Security has been operating under a partial government shutdown for approximately six weeks, dating back to around mid-February 2026. The shutdown has created significant operational disruptions across the department's many agencies, most visibly at the nation's airports.

In a move that has drawn widespread criticism and confusion among travelers, ICE officers have been redeployed to assist TSA agents with airport security screenings. The result has been hours-long security lines at major airports across the country, frustrating passengers and raising questions about the readiness of immigration enforcement agents to perform traditional TSA functions.

As Politico reports, Mullin is taking over DHS at a particularly precarious moment — inheriting not just the operational chaos of the shutdown but also the political minefield of brokering a funding deal that satisfies both the White House and a divided Congress.

Congressional Negotiations: Where Does the Deal Stand?

As of Mullin's swearing-in, negotiations to reopen DHS remain ongoing but show tentative signs of progress. According to four sources familiar with the talks, a path to a deal that the White House appears to support is emerging — though significant hurdles remain.

On Monday evening, March 23, Senate Republicans met with President Trump and came away voicing optimism that a Senate funding deal could be "around the corner." That positive sentiment, however, has not yet translated into a firm agreement.

The sticking points remain deeply political:

• House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated he had not yet seen the details of the Republican DHS funding proposal, signaling that House Democrats remain largely in the dark on negotiations.
• Sen. Patty Murray publicly criticized the GOP proposal, arguing it fails to include meaningful reforms to ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
• Democrats broadly have refused to agree to any deal that does not include immigration reform provisions — a red line that complicates reaching bipartisan consensus.
• President Trump, for his part, said he would be "unhappy with any deal" made with Democrats — a position that further narrows the path to a bipartisan resolution.

The contradictions are stark: Republicans express optimism while Trump signals resistance to Democratic compromise, and Democrats insist on reforms the GOP has resisted. The Washington Examiner covered the swearing-in ceremony as these negotiations continued to simmer in the background.

What Mullin's Confirmation Means for DHS Policy

Mullin's elevation to DHS Secretary signals a continuation — and likely an intensification — of the administration's hardline immigration enforcement posture. As a senator, Mullin consistently supported increased border security funding, expanded deportation operations, and limits on asylum claims. His confirmation is expected to accelerate several ongoing DHS initiatives.

Key policy areas to watch under Secretary Mullin include:

• Immigration enforcement: Mullin has supported aggressive interior enforcement operations and is likely to maintain or expand the deployment of ICE resources.
• Border security: Continued emphasis on physical barriers, technology investments, and personnel at the southern border.
• Airport security operations: How Mullin addresses the current TSA-ICE hybrid screening situation — which has created logistical headaches — will be an early test of his leadership.
• Shutdown resolution: As the new DHS secretary, Mullin will be a central figure in any negotiations to restore full department funding.

According to reporting on his swearing-in, Mullin steps into his new role with the full backing of the Trump White House — but with a department hamstrung by weeks of funding uncertainty and a workforce operating under significant strain.

Replacing Kristi Noem: A Change in Leadership at DHS

Mullin's confirmation officially ends Kristi Noem's tenure as DHS Secretary. Noem, the former Governor of South Dakota, was one of the Trump administration's most prominent cabinet members and a frequent spokesperson for the administration's immigration policies. Her departure from DHS and replacement by Mullin represents a notable cabinet reshuffle.

While the reasons for Noem's exit have not been fully detailed, the transition underscores the ongoing turbulence within the administration's homeland security apparatus. Mullin now faces the dual challenge of asserting his own leadership vision while managing the institutional continuity of a department mid-shutdown.

Frequently Asked Questions About Markwayne Mullin as DHS Secretary

When was Markwayne Mullin sworn in as DHS Secretary?

Markwayne Mullin was sworn in as Secretary of Homeland Security on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. in the Oval Office by President Donald Trump.

Who replaced Mullin in the Senate?

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt appointed Alan Armstrong to fill the Senate seat vacated by Mullin following his confirmation as DHS Secretary.

Why is the DHS partially shut down?

The DHS partial government shutdown stems from a congressional funding dispute, with Democrats refusing to approve a funding deal unless it includes immigration reform provisions. Republicans and the White House have not agreed to those conditions, leaving the department without full appropriations for more than six weeks as of March 24, 2026.

How is the DHS shutdown affecting travelers?

ICE officers have been deployed to supplement TSA agents at airport security checkpoints during the shutdown. This has led to hours-long security lines at airports nationwide, disrupting travel for millions of passengers.

Is a deal to end the DHS shutdown close?

As of March 24, 2026, sources familiar with negotiations indicate that a deal the White House supports may be emerging. Senate Republicans expressed optimism after a Monday evening meeting with Trump. However, no agreement has been finalized, and significant partisan disagreements remain over whether immigration reforms should be included in any funding package.

Conclusion

Markwayne Mullin's swearing-in as DHS Secretary marks a pivotal moment in an already turbulent chapter for U.S. homeland security. He takes the helm of a department six weeks into a partial shutdown, with airport disruptions intensifying public frustration and congressional negotiations still unresolved. While Republican optimism about a funding deal is growing, the gap between Democratic demands for immigration reform and Trump's resistance to any bipartisan compromise remains a formidable obstacle.

How Mullin navigates his first days and weeks in office — managing both the operational crisis at airports and the political negotiations on Capitol Hill — will define the early character of his tenure. All eyes are on Washington as the new DHS secretary steps into one of the most consequential roles in the federal government at one of its most challenging moments.