Trump's DHS pick Markwayne Mullin is confronted by Rand Paul at Senate hearing

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security, faced fellow senators on Wednesday at a confirmation hearing.

WASHINGTON — Sen. Markwayne Mullin, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security, faced fellow senators on Wednesday at a confirmation hearing.

And it didn’t begin well for the Oklahoma Republican, who has been tapped to take over DHS at a crucial time. The U.S. is locked in a war with Iran and the Trump administration faces a backlash for its aggressive immigration enforcement tactics. DHS funding lapsed on Feb. 13, leading to major delays at airports, and the two parties haven’t reached a deal.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., the chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, used his opening statement to confront Mullin for reportedly calling him a “freaking snake” and saying he “completely” understands why a neighbor assaulted Paul in 2017.

“Tell me to my face why you think I deserved it,” Paul told Mullin, while also bringing up Mullin's attempt to challenge a labor union leader to a fight during a 2023 committee hearing. “And while you’re at it, 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.”

Add NBC News to Google'I went out there too fast': Mullin apologizes for comments about Alex Pretti01:22“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.