Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) faced intense scrutiny from his fellow lawmakers during his Senate confirmation hearing this week over his past behavior — including an accusation from Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) that he has “anger issues.” But he also had a moment with Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) last month that revealed quite a lot about him, according to one American studies professor.
On Wednesday, Paul confronted Mullin, President Donald Trump’s pick to take over the Department of Homeland Security, for previously calling him a “freaking snake” and for appearing to justify a violent 2017 attack on Paul. Paul shared details about the attack and the injuries he sustained, which he said included six broken ribs and a “damaged lung.”
Paul went on to point out another altercation involving Mullin, a former MMA fighter. He challenged a committee witness, Teamsters union boss Sean O’Brien, to a physical fight during a Senate hearing in 2023, telling CNN days later that he had no regrets about what happened.
Paul asked Mullin on Wednesday to “explain to the American public why they should trust a man with anger issues to set the proper example for ICE and Border Patrol agents.” Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) also told CNN after the Senate hearing that Mullin’s behavior toward O’Brien during the 2023 Senate hearing was “unacceptable” and that one of his biggest objections to Mullin leading DHS is his “temperament.”
