Markwayne Mullin is an American politician, businessman, and citizen of the Cherokee Nation who served as Oklahoma's junior United States senator from 2023 until March 2026, when President Donald Trump nominated and the Senate confirmed him as Secretary of Homeland Security. A member of the Republican Party, he had previously represented Oklahoma's 2nd Congressional District for nearly a decade (2013 to 2023) before winning a 2022 special election to complete the remainder of Sen. Jim Inhofe's term.
Raised in eastern Oklahoma, Mullin took over his family plumbing business in his early 20s and later expanded into multiple family companies. He earned an associate degree in construction technology from Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology and is known for emphasizing a "businessman, not a politician" identity.
In the Senate, Mullin leaned into a combative, populist brand: hardline on border enforcement, strongly pro-oil and gas, and aggressively anti-regulation. He also highlighted rural infrastructure priorities and Native affairs, and noted his role as the first Native American U.S. senator since 2005 and one of the few Cherokee citizens elected to the Senate.
On March 5, 2026, Trump fired Secretary Kristi Noem and nominated Mullin to succeed her amid a partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security. Mullin testified before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on March 18, 2026, pledging to continue strict immigration enforcement while ending warrantless home entries by immigration officers and halting Noem's review of FEMA contracts that had delayed disaster assistance. He was confirmed 54 to 45 on March 23 and sworn in by Attorney General Pam Bondi the following day, becoming the first member of the Cherokee Nation to serve in the Cabinet of the United States.
Conservative Populist
Former Senate Committee Assignments
Former Caucus Memberships
Achievements
- Confirmed as Secretary of Homeland Security in March 2026, becoming the first member of the Cherokee Nation to serve in the Cabinet of the United States, a historic milestone for Native American representation in the executive branch.
- Won the 2022 Oklahoma special election and served as Oklahoma's junior senator from 2023 until his cabinet confirmation, building a high-visibility populist brand rooted in small business, trades, and rural Oklahoma priorities.
- Sustained advocacy for oil and gas production and anti-regulatory energy policy aligned with Oklahoma's industry base throughout his congressional and Senate career.
- Elevated Native representation nationally as a Cherokee Nation citizen and a rare Native American member of the U.S. Senate, now extended to the cabinet level.
- Maintained a strong constituent-services posture focused on infrastructure, disaster response, and regional development in eastern Oklahoma throughout his time in Congress.
Controversies
- His confirmation hearing drew friction when committee chairman Rand Paul accused him of having "anger issues" over comments about Paul's 2017 assault, and ranking member Gary Peters challenged him over suggestions that he had been in a war zone, both exchanges attracting national attention and raising questions about his temperament for a cabinet role.
- Drew national attention during his Senate tenure for repeated public clashes with labor leaders, including a televised confrontation with Teamsters President Sean O'Brien at a Senate hearing.
- Faced criticism for supporting Trump-aligned claims about the 2020 election while running in 2022.
- Scrutiny over business entanglements and ethics boundaries stemming from his prior companies and brand-driven promotion.
- Hardline abortion posture, including opposition even in cases of rape or incest, drew sustained backlash from reproductive rights groups throughout his legislative career.
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devon Energy | $104,950 | $56,450 | $48,500 |
| American Israel Public Affairs Cmte | $89,000 | $89,000 | $0 |
| Blue Cross/Blue Shield | $84,750 | $1,750 | $83,000 |
| Ameristate Bank | $70,110 | $70,110 | $0 |
| Hilliary Communications | $65,650 | $65,650 | $0 |
Amounts shown reflect organization-linked giving; most funds listed here are from individual donors or aligned PACs.
Recent Elections
2022 Margin R +26.3%