Markwayne Mullin was sworn in as the new Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday afternoon in the Oval Office. Attorney General Pam Bondi administered the oath in the presence of President Donald Trump, Mullin's family, and administration officials.

President Trump praised the Oklahoma Republican as a "great American patriot" with a 13-year congressional record, business background, and wrestling career. "Everything he’s done has been good... Everything he touched has turned to gold," Trump said, noting Mullin's work on border security and migrant crime. Trump highlighted Mullin as the first Cherokee Nation member in a Cabinet post and committed to record deportations under his leadership.

Mullin replaces Kristi Noem, whom Trump removed on March 5 amid bipartisan criticism of her tenure. Noem faced scrutiny over federal agents killing two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis in January, a $220 million self-deportation ad campaign she claimed Trump approved, which the White House denied, and spending controversies, including luxury jets and living rent-free in a government house. Her departure followed clashes with border czar Tom Homan, staff cuts in cybersecurity and intelligence, and FEMA overhaul issues. Trump reassigned Noem as special envoy for Western Hemisphere security.

The Senate confirmed Mullin 54-45 on Monday, with Democrats John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico joining Republicans; Sen. Rand Paul was the lone GOP no vote. During hearings, Mullin pledged a "better approach" on immigration, requiring judicial warrants for private property entries and aiming for DHS to avoid daily headlines within six months.

At the ceremony, Mullin vowed impartial protection: "I don’t care what color your state is... my job is to be secretary of homeland and to protect everybody the same." A former House member, senator, and mixed martial arts fighter, Mullin told reporters he looks forward to supporting Trump's border security mission.

Mullin inherits a department in crisis, with a partial funding lapse for five weeks amid Democratic demands for immigration policy changes. The administration blames Democrats for the impasse, as the agency grapples with airport security delays, enforcement surges, and ongoing deportation efforts despite court challenges.