Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) said Thursday that he is “excited” about President Donald Trump’s decision to nominate him to replace Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
After hearing the news himself, the senator revealed he spoke to his father and wife first.
“I had to call my dad … because it happened pretty quick, right? I had to call my wife and call my dad both,” he told reporters. “It’s just pretty humbling when you start thinking about it. A little kid from west Oklahoma gets to serve in the president’s Cabinet. That’s pretty neat.”
Mullin said he needed to speak with Noem next, noting their families are “very close.”
In a Truth Social post, Trump announced he nominated Mullin to replace Noem as head of the Department of Homeland Security. The move came after the current DHS chief testified before House and Senate committees this week.
Noem is expected to leave her post by March 31, after which she will become a special envoy for the Shield of the Americas. Trump said the new initiative will be announced on Saturday in Doral, Florida.
“Markwayne will work tirelessly to Keep our Border Secure, Stop Migrant Crime, Murderers, and other Criminals from illegally entering our Country, End the Scourge of Illegal Drugs and, MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN,” Trump wrote. “Markwayne will make a spectacular Secretary of Homeland Security.”
After getting the phone call from the White House, Mullin said he was enthusiastic about starting the new position.
“The president — first of all, the president and I have a really good relationship,” he said. “We talk all the time anyways. I’ve got to be honest with you, I wasn’t expecting the call today. But super excited. And I’m more excited about just ready to get started.”
Republicans are rallying behind Mullin as the new pick to lead the DHS, while Democrats are more focused on Noem’s ouster as proof that she performed poorly as the face of Trump’s immigration agenda.
TRUMP OUSTS KRISTI NOEM AS DHS CHIEF AND TAPS MARKWAYNE MULLIN TO TAKE HER PLACE
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), for one, said Mullin has his endorsement. Mullin must be confirmed by the Senate first before assuming the post. Wicker was apparently there when Mullin heard the news.
“I was having lunch with Sen. Mullin just a few moments ago,” Wicker told reporters. “He got up abruptly and left a full plate of food on the table.”