On March 25, 2026, Markwayne Mullin was officially sworn in as the 9th Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following a bipartisan 54–45 confirmation vote in the U.S. Senate. A former Senator, Congressman, business owner, and rancher, Mullin is the first member of the Cherokee Nation to serve in a cabinet-level position of this magnitude.
Key highlights of his confirmation and initial priorities include:
Bipartisan Support: While the majority of support came from Republicans, Mullin earned notable Democratic "Aye" votes from Senators John Fetterman and Martin Heinrich, who cited his pragmatism and their constructive working relationships with him.
Immediate Mandate: Secretary Mullin is tasked with executing President Trump’s "America First" agenda, which includes:
Securing the southern border and increasing deportations of criminal illegal aliens.
Combating cartels and terrorism.
Reforming FEMA to improve disaster response efficiency.
Resolving the ongoing DHS funding shutdown to restore pay for over 100,000 employees, including TSA and Border Patrol agents.
Broad Industry and Tribal Praise:
Tribal Leaders: Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. and the National Congress of American Indians celebrated the nomination as a significant milestone for Native representation in federal leadership.
Aviation and Energy: Groups like Airlines for America and the Edison Electric Institute expressed confidence that Mullin’s "no-nonsense" leadership would provide stability for critical infrastructure and frontline workers during the current funding lapse.
Law Enforcement: The National Border Patrol Council and various Attorneys General endorsed Mullin as a "fighter" who understands the technical and physical requirements of border security.
Transition of Leadership: Mullin succeeds Kristi Noem, who has transitioned to a new role as the "Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas."
The consensus among supporters—ranging from labor unions like the Teamsters to conservative think tanks like The Heritage Foundation—is that Secretary Mullin’s background as a "consensus builder" and a "tough patriot" makes him uniquely qualified to lead DHS during a period of significant national security threats and internal administrative reform.