During Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s (R-OK) March 18, 2026, confirmation hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which is chaired by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), to become DHS Secretary under Trump, Paul opened with a personal attack.
For context, he referenced Mullin’s past comments after Paul’s 2017 neighbor assault, in which Paul accused him of calling Paul a “freaking snake” and justifying the violence. Mullin denied endorsing violence, claimed he addressed it face-to-face years ago, emphasized his blunt style, and accused Paul of fighting Republicans more than collaborating.
