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Senate committee presses Mark Wayne Mullen on comments about political violence and temperament
Summary
At his nomination hearing to lead DHS, Mark Wayne Mullen denied endorsing political violence after senators cited interviews in which he said he 'understood' an assault on a colleague. Lawmakers pressed him on temperament, past public statements and whether he would apologize; Mullen said he regretted some remarks and pledged to follow investigations before apologizing.
Mark Wayne Mullen, President Trump's nominee for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, denied that he endorses political violence as senators pressed him at a Senate Committee hearing on March 18.
Chairman Paul opened the session by recounting a personal assault and asked whether a public official who 'applauds violence against their political opponents' should lead an agency with law enforcement responsibilities. Multiple senators said Mullen’s interviews after a brawl in a Senate committee—including his statements that he 'understood' why an assailant attacked a senator—raised questions about his temperament for a role that oversees officers authorized to use force.
Mullen told the committee he did not support violence and that he has "regret" for some of his past public statements, but he rejected the characterization that he celebrated the assault. "I don't think anybody should be hit by surprise," he said, adding that he will "own" mistakes and learn from them. He also said he would not "hide" remarks but declined in open session to offer a fuller apology until investigations and the factual record are complete.
Senator Peters, the committee's ranking member, said a secretary's temperament matters because "how the Homeland Security Secretary responds to a crisis sends signals" to DHS personnel and the public. He repeatedly asked Mullen whether "justifying" or "understanding" an assault set a proper example for ICE and Border Patrol; Mullen responded that he had "never said I supported it" and characterized some of the post-incident media comments as misstatements he regretted.
The exchange at times grew heated: senators demanded a clear apology, and Mullen, who described himself as blunt and direct, said he was willing to learn and asked the committee to let him earn their respect. "I'm not perfect," he said. "I'll make mistakes and I'll own them." He also framed his approach to leadership as empowering agency managers and working to restore confidence across DHS.
The committee did not vote on the nomination at the hearing; senators asked for additional classified and closed-briefing follow-ups on other topics discussed during the session. The committee left the record open and scheduled a subsequent vote and a classified skiff briefing for members who requested it.
Why it matters: The DHS secretary leads more than 250,000 employees across multiple agencies whose actions directly affect civil liberties, law enforcement practice and national security. Senators said they want to be confident the nominee will lead with restraint, follow the law and avoid public conduct that could undermine public trust in the department.
