President Trump’s White House Border Czar Tom Homan was asked on Fox News this week to compare former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with the President’s new pick for the job, Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK). Mullin.
[NOTE: After Mullin’s sometimes contentious confirmation hearing on Wednesday, the Senate Homeland Security Committee voted — 8 to 7 — to advance his nomination to the full Senate, despite the objection of Committee Chair Rand Paul (R-KY), who indicated Mullin was unqualified.]
Sen. Paul’s concerns included the notion that Mullin would run DHS in the same manner as his predecessor Noem, whose controversial tenure drew criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike.
Facing the question of how Mullin would be different, Homan stumbled at first and then said, “I can’t put down what the difference is. I can tell you he’s focused on a mission. He has spoken with leadership at DHS already. He’s heard their ideas. He’s gonna speak with a few more.”
Homan added of Mullin: “He’s counting on experts who’s done this job for decades to advice [sic] him on the next steps to take, and that’s big. He knows he’s comin’ and he don’t know the immigration game very well but he’s counting on people with 30, 40 years of experience to guide him.”
Homan on Markwayne Mullin: He’s counting on the experts to advise him. He does not know the immigration game very well but he’s counting on people with 30, 40 years experience to guide him. pic.twitter.com/pNtpMtqgIr
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 18, 2026
More than one person on X responded, “Why not hire someone with experience?” Another commenter asked “Does Homan realize he is saying that Mullin will rely on ‘deep state’ operatives –i.e., experts?”
Note: Prior to being elected to Congress in 2012, Mullin took over the family business, Mullin Plumbing, widely expanding its operations. He later earned a degree in construction technology from Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. Mullin is also, according to his Senate bio, “a former undefeated Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter with a professional record of 5-0. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016.”
Homan was appointed by President Barack Obama as Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s executive associate director of enforcement and removal operations in 2013 — notably during a time when the Obama administration deported more people than any previous president. Homan served as acting director of ICE during the first Trump administration.