All articles tagged with #senate confirmation
Markwayne Mullin was sworn in as the ninth Secretary of Homeland Security after bipartisan Senate confirmation and pledged to advance President Trump’s security goals, focusing on border security, deporting criminal illegal aliens, counterterrorism and cartel suppression, disaster response, and homeland protection, with broad cross‑party praise.
The US Senate confirmed Markwayne Mullin as the next Homeland Security secretary in a 54-45 vote; the Trump-aligned former congressman will oversee immigration enforcement, border protection, and airport security as DHS grapples with funding gaps and ongoing controversies after Kristi Noem’s removal.
The Senate approved Oklahoma Republican Markwayne Mullin 54-45 to lead the Department of Homeland Security, replacing Kristi Noem, as DHS operations continue under a six-week shutdown that has left workers unpaid and stretched resources. Democrats insist funding must come with policy concessions on ICE and CBP before they’ll back the bill, while Mullin’s allies frame the confirmation as a test of his clout amid a politically charged security landscape.
The Senate approved Oklahoma Republican Markwayne Mullin as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in a 54-45 vote, following the ouster of Kristi Noem amid criticism of immigration enforcement and spending. Mullin pledged a different leadership style, suggesting agents will need judicial warrants to enter homes or businesses. Democrats John Fetterman and Martin Heinrich supported him, while Rand Paul opposed. His confirmation comes as DHS faces a funding impasse and TSA staffing shortages, with Mullin expected to help lead talks; the vote also opens a Senate seat in Oklahoma to be filled by Gov. Kevin Stitt.
Former GOP Rep. Jason Chaffetz criticized Democrats and Republicans for asking softball questions during Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s Homeland Security secretary confirmation hearing, calling the exchange an embarrassment and urging tougher grilling, while noting moments like Elissa Slotkin pressing Mullin on the 2020 election and a clash with Rand Paul.
Sen. John Fetterman cast the deciding vote to advance Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security, aligning with Republicans while Democrats pressed Mullin on immigration enforcement and DHS operations; Mullin faced questions about ICE detention plans and local impact, with Rand Paul the sole Republican opposing the move and Fetterman framing the confirmation as a path toward a more functional DHS and border control.
Powell will remain Fed chair until a Senate-confirmed replacement is in place and could stay on the Fed Board through 2028 if needed, while the DOJ investigation into the Fed's headquarters renovations continues; Warsh’s confirmation faces delays, leaving the leadership transition unresolved as the Fed holds rates steady.
At Senate confirmation hearings for Markwayne Mullin to head the Department of Homeland Security, Mullin pledged a “better approach” to immigration enforcement, saying he wouldn’t micromanage agencies, wants ICE to work with jails and act more like a transport arm than the front line, would consult local communities about detention centers, and will seek a qualified FEMA leader, all as lawmakers gridlock over the DHS and a partial government shutdown looms ahead of a Thursday confirmation vote.
Trump’s pick Markwayne Mullin faced a combative Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing, with Rand Paul pressing him on anger, past remarks, and trust for ICE and border agents, while lawmakers questioned his classified travel and spending; Mullin apologized for some comments about a protester but argued for a revised approach to DHS leadership, leaving his confirmation momentum uncertain and prompting a follow-up SCIF discussion.
Trump’s pick to be assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs, Jeremy Carl, withdrew from his Senate confirmation after bipartisan and GOP opposition focused on his past remarks about white identity and white culture, including writings and comments that sparked questions at a February hearing; his nomination had already faced resistance from Sen. John Curtis and Democratic opposition, leading to the withdrawal.
A federal judge ruled that Pam Bondi illegally split the New Jersey attorney general’s office to install three acting prosecutors without Senate confirmation, warning the leadership arrangement could jeopardize pending cases; the decision underscores ongoing legal challenges to Trump-era appointments.
A federal judge ruled that Kari Lake was illegally empowered to serve as acting CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, voiding her four-month tenure and related actions—including a workforce reduction—because she lacked Senate confirmation and because delegations from the previous acting CEO bypassed the Senate's advice and consent role.
Acting CISA head Madhu Gottumukkala is reassigned to DHS as director of strategic implementation, with Nick Anderson becoming acting CISA director, as Congress tightens its oversight amid the polygraph controversy, a delayed agency reorganization plan, and looming DHS-related questions before a Senate-confirmation process.
Trump-nominated Darin Smith, a former Wyoming state senator with no federal or criminal litigation experience, is awaiting Senate confirmation to become Wyoming’s US attorney and has drawn Democratic criticism as unqualified and potentially discriminatory; he has served as interim US attorney since his initial nomination, has faced questions about his January 6 Capitol presence (he says he was on the grounds but did not enter), and his confirmation is being weighed amid partisan dynamics.
Defense lawyers urged a federal judge to dismiss cases in New Jersey, arguing the U.S. Attorney’s Office is unlawfully run by unconfirmed appointees, creating legal uncertainty and highlighting a broader clash between executive power and the judiciary with no clear resolution in sight.