Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is still struggling to get along with the GOP senator tasked with overseeing his agency, according to a new report.
Politico reported on Friday that "tension still exists" between DHS head Markwayne Mullin and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), who chairs the Senate Homeland Security Committee.
"There needs to be a good relationship between the Secretary of Homeland Security and the chairman of the committee," Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) told Politico. "I think it's important they figure out how to have a positive human relationship."
Paul questioned Mullin's suitability for the role during a committee hearing in March. Paul recounted how a neighbor attacked him in 2017 and broke his ribs, and how Mullin had "told the media that I was a freaking snake and that you completely understood why I had been assaulted."
The beef between Paul and Mullin "is limiting productive engagement," Senate Republicans told Politico.
Paul declined to comment on his relationship with Mullin for Politico. Mullin has also had some trouble having some say in his own circle, as he's reportedly already been sidelined by the White House.
Mullin, a former Oklahoma senator and three-term House member, was confirmed as the 9th DHS Secretary on March 23 in a 54-45 vote, with Paul casting the lone Republican no vote. The Kentucky senator confronted Mullin during his confirmation hearing over what he called Mullin's "anger issues," including a 2023 Senate hearing where Mullin appeared ready to physically fight a witness.
Mullin replaced Kristi Noem, who was ousted following bipartisan criticism over the fatal shootings of Minneapolis residents Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal agents.