Mullin confirmed as DHS secretary amid ongoing shutdown

The Senate approved Oklahoma Republican Markwayne Mullin 54-45 to lead the Department of Homeland Security, replacing Kristi Noem, as DHS operations continue under a six-week shutdown that has left workers unpaid and stretched resources. Democrats insist funding must come with policy concessions on ICE and CBP before they’ll back the bill, while Mullin’s allies frame the confirmation as a test of his clout amid a politically charged security landscape.