U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin sits to testify at a House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 25, 2026. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon
The internet was in a frenzy on Thursday after Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin lost his temper — while holding a pink stress ball — when he was grilled by a Democratic congresswoman.
Mullin interrupted ranking member Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and told her she should "be put in her place," exploding at the longtime lawmaker at a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing where he was testifying on the Department of Homeland Security's budget.
Political commentators mocked Mullin's explosive reaction.
"Mullin seems to be too emotional for this job," Angry Staffer, political commentator and former White House staffer, wrote on X.
"Trump appointees have run roughshod over the committee process for 17 months. Regularly berating members and avoiding answering questions. It's really something to see a GOP chairman actually stand up for his branch of government, for once," CNN senior political reporter Aaron Blake wrote on X.
"Rosa DeLauro is a legend, a constant champion for children over her long career. Markwayne Mullin, on the other hand, will, with the rest of the infamous, need to lawyer up once power shifts and accountability finally comes," progressive political commentator Dean Barker wrote on Bluesky.
"Men are too emotional to handle the levers of government," Gabe Ortiz, writer for immigration advocacy group America's Voice, wrote on Bluesky.
"Mullin is obnoxious," attorney and former public defender Frank Amari wrote on Bluesky.
Mullin seems to be too emotional for this job https://t.co/nXBNg6xoTc
— Angry Staffer (@Angry_Staffer) June 25, 2026