Democrat Praises Trump’s Surprising DHS Pick

A man in a suit speaking passionately at a podium

A Democratic senator just gave President Trump’s new DHS pick a stamp of approval so strong it could reshape the immigration fight in Washington.

Story Snapshot

Democrat Peter Welch is praising Trump’s DHS nominee Markwayne Mullin as “competent,” “honest,” and “respected.”
Kristi Noem is out at DHS after a scandal-plagued tenure that angered both Congress and the public.
Mullin’s likely confirmation could steady DHS leadership while Trump keeps driving a hard line on border security.
Bipartisan support signals Democrats may negotiate policy details, but Trump’s enforcement-first agenda remains.

Trump Fires Noem And Moves To Stabilize A Troubled DHS

President Trump removed Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary after months of controversy that distracted from securing the border and enforcing immigration law. Her tenure was marred by explosive hearings over a $220 million “self-deportation” advertising contract and allegations of an improper relationship with former adviser Corey Lewandowski. Members of both parties increasingly viewed DHS as politically radioactive and operationally unstable, giving Trump strong incentive to reset leadership and refocus on mission rather than drama.

Conservatives who watched DHS stumble under Biden’s open-border chaos and then slog through Noem’s personal baggage now see Trump taking ownership of the problem. By cutting Noem loose, he signaled that cabinet posts are about performance, not celebrity. For voters tired of hearings, scandals, and media circus instead of enforcement, the move suggests Trump wants a Homeland Security chief who can execute a serious border and interior security strategy while withstanding nonstop political scrutiny.

Mullin Emerges As A “Respected” Nominee With Surprising Democratic Praise

Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, Trump’s pick to replace Noem, is drawing an unusual kind of attention in today’s polarized Senate: open praise from a Democrat. Vermont Senator Peter Welch called Mullin “competent” and “honest,” stressing those were qualities Noem lacked. Welch also described Mullin as “respected” and predicted he “will be confirmed,” signaling that even some on the left see him as a serious, institution-minded choice rather than a partisan firebrand.

For a conservative audience, this matters for two reasons. First, a respected DHS secretary with bipartisan credibility is harder for the left to constantly smear as illegitimate while he enforces the law. Second, if Democrats are already conceding Mullin’s integrity, future attacks will likely focus on the policies themselves—such as tougher deportations, stricter asylum rules, and expanded interior enforcement—rather than manufactured character scandals designed to paralyze the department and slow-walk Trump’s broader immigration agenda.

From Noem’s Controversies To A Chance For Policy-Driven Oversight

Welch’s critique of Noem reached beyond personality into operational failures that embarrassed DHS. He cited controversial immigration raids on churches, farms, and workplaces, as well as what he described as an unacceptable “rampage in Minneapolis,” as evidence her leadership damaged public trust. Those episodes gave Democrats an opening to focus on process abuses instead of debating the core question many conservatives prioritize: whether the federal government will finally secure the border and remove those here illegally.

By contrast, Welch frames Mullin as someone Democrats can negotiate with on the nuts and bolts of DHS operations during confirmation hearings. That shift benefits Trump supporters if it produces policy oversight grounded in facts, not show trials. A functioning oversight process can clarify rules for workplace enforcement, sensitive locations like churches, and coordination with local law enforcement, while still preserving the administration’s authority to deport criminal aliens, dismantle cartels, and end catch-and-release incentives that fueled past surges across the southern border.

What A Mullin-Led DHS Means For Border Security And Enforcement

Mullin has already signaled a willingness to sit down with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democrats to discuss immigration enforcement operations and broader DHS functions. He also emphasized that his core mission is to keep Americans safe “regardless of if you support me or you don’t.” For conservatives, that language suggests he understands DHS must serve the whole country while unapologetically enforcing the law, not operate as a political weapon aimed at Trump voters or red states.

Dem Sen. Peter Welch praises Trump's 'respected' pick to replace Noem at DHS, says 'he'll be confirmed' https://t.co/IWN4PQn7QB #FoxNews

— Rob Beto Aragon🇺🇸🇮🇱🇻🇦 (@gopwillrise) March 7, 2026

Placed in the context of Trump’s second-term push to close loopholes, shrink illegal immigration, and reverse Biden-era catch-and-release, a confirmed Mullin would likely be tasked with tightening asylum standards, expanding detention capacity, and coordinating more aggressive interior enforcement. The bipartisan respect he enjoys could make it harder for activist judges and sanctuary politicians to paint routine law enforcement as extremism, giving DHS room to operate while Trump continues to test the legal limits of executive power on immigration.