WASHINGTON – The United States Senate has confirmed Sen. Markwayne Mullin to be the next Secretary of Homeland Security.
The vote was 54-45 in favor of his confirmation.
North Dakota Senators Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven voted to confirm the senator from Oklahoma, with Minnesota Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar voting against the confirmation.
North Dakota Senator John Hoeven a statement after the confirmation saying, “The Department of Homeland Security has a vital mission in ensuring that the U.S. homeland is safe and secure. I’ve gotten to know Senator Mullin during our time together in the Senate, and I believe he will do a good job leading DHS in this mission. At the same time, we continue working to get the agency fully funded so they have the resources necessary to accomplish their missions from securing the border and enforcing immigration laws to preventing terrorism and helping communities recover from disasters.”
In a statement on X, Senator Kevin Cramer said, “Markwayne Mullin is dedicated to @POTUS’ promise to secure our borders and tackling illegal immigration. His commitment to the mission and experience as a legislator will be strong assets to @DHSgov
and the thousands of patriots who work every day to keep our country safe. I look forward to working with him in his new role to deliver results at the northern and southern borders and for every American who relies on the Department of Homeland Security.”
In voting against the confirmation, Smith said she does not ‘have confidence that Senator Mullin will change the Trump Administration’s reckless, dangerous and illegal immigration enforcement activity.’
“Minnesota has paid a heavy price from Operation Metro Surge, and it will take us a long time to recover. Two of our citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, have been killed. Families have been broken apart, with parents and children still held in Texas detainment centers,” she continued. “There has been a massive economic cost; businesses have gone under and thousands have lost their wages. Donald Trump can install a new face at DHS, but nothing will change if Stephen Miller and Donald Trump are intent on continuing these dangerous ICE tactics.”
As of press time, Flag Family News has not received a response from Sen. Klobuchar. We will update this story when new information is available.
