The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Markwayne Mullin as Secretary of Homeland Security on the evening of the 23rd (local time), with 54 votes in favor and 45 against.

This approval comes after President Donald Trump, facing public backlash over unfavorable incidents during the administration's immigration enforcement and large-scale deportation operations, dismissed Kirstjen Nielsen and appointed Mullin to lead the beleaguered Department of Homeland Security.

Mullin, a Republican Senator from Oklahoma known for his close relationship with Trump, has strived to present himself as a stable leader, stating that his goal as Homeland Security Secretary is to remove the department from the headlines.

He takes office at a difficult time, having been confirmed while the Department of Homeland Security has been in a shutdown for 38 days due to Democratic opposition.

President Trump has stated that he will reject any legislative proposals from the Democrats unless the Senate passes the "Save America Act."

Secretary Mullin served as a U.S. Representative for over 10 years since 2012 and has experience expanding a family-owned plumbing business in Oklahoma, but he has also been criticized for his lack of direct experience in immigration issues.

A former mixed martial arts and collegiate wrestler, he has also led early morning workout classes at the House gym for members and is often mentioned as a negotiator in bipartisan Washington due to his close relationships with members of both parties, according to the Associated Press.

Mullin gained national attention in 2021 for an anecdote about his visit to Afghanistan to rescue Americans left behind during the U.S. military withdrawal.

He is known as a loyalist who has strongly supported Trump's immigration policies and ICE agents, and he also opposed the certification of the 2020 presidential election results.

In his Senate confirmation hearing, Secretary Mullin presented a new approach to federal disaster management and stated that he would reject Secretary Nielsen's idea of abolishing FEMA.

It remains to be seen whether Mullin can normalize the Department of Homeland Security, which is currently facing intense criticism from Democrats and left-wing organizations.

NNP Chief Reporter Sung Ku Hong / Special Dispatch NNP info@newsandpost.com