Steady State Letter to Homeland Security Committee opposing nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin for Secretary of Homeland Security

[PDF OF ORIGINAL LETTER AVAILABLE HERE]

March 19, 2026

The Honorable Rand Paul
Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
United States Senate
167 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Gary C. Peters
Ranking Member, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
United States Senate
724 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Subject: Opposition to the Nomination of Senator Mullin for Secretary of Homeland Security

Dear Chairman Paul and Ranking Member Peters:

I write on behalf of The Steady State to strongly urge the Committee to reject the nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin to serve as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

This nomination reflects a fundamental mismatch between the responsibilities of the office and the qualifications of the nominee. The Secretary of Homeland Security is responsible for overseeing a vast and complex network of federal, state, and local agencies; coordinating intelligence; managing crisis response; and supervising a workforce of more than 250,000 personnel. Senator Mullin has no meaningful experience managing large scale public institutions, intergovernmental systems, or national security operations. His professional background as a small business owner and plumber, while honorable, does not provide the expertise required to lead one of the most consequential departments in the federal government.

At a time of global instability, domestic polarization, and evolving security threats, the United States cannot afford on-the-job training in this role. The country requires seasoned and disciplined leadership, not a nominee whose record raises serious doubts about his readiness to manage complexity or command public trust.

Those concerns were further amplified during Senator Mullin’s confirmation hearing, where questions about his temperament and judgment came sharply into focus. In a striking exchange, Chairman Paul confronted Senator Mullin over past remarks in which Mullin said he “understood” why Chairman Paul’s neighbor attacked him, resulting in severe injuries. Senator Mullin declined to offer a clear and unequivocal apology, prompting Chairman Paul to accuse Senator Mullin of minimizing, even endorsing, the assault. Senator Paul was correct, and that alone should be disqualifying.

This is not an isolated issue. Senator Mullin has repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to engage in aggressive and unprofessional conduct, including threatening physical confrontation during official proceedings. Such behavior is incompatible with the leadership required to oversee federal law enforcement agencies entrusted with the use of force and the protection of civil liberties.

Also notable, opposition to this nomination is not confined to one party. Chairman Paul’s decision to oppose advancing Senator Mullin’s nomination underscores the seriousness of these concerns and highlights the broad unease surrounding his candidacy.

The Department of Homeland Security is not simply an administrative post. It is a cornerstone of the nation’s safety and democratic stability. Its leader must model restraint, respect for the rule of law, and an unequivocal rejection of political violence. Senator Mullin’s record falls short on each of these measures.

The Steady State believes that safeguarding democratic institutions requires competent, experienced, and principled leadership, especially in positions entrusted with extraordinary power.

For these reasons, we urge the United States Senate to reject the nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin.

Respectfully,

Steven A. Cash, Executive Director