President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin will become the next Secretary of Homeland Security, replacing Kristi Noem. The decision comes after months of internal disagreements within the Department of Homeland Security regarding the handling of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) immigration enforcement policies.
Following the announcement, Mullin said he looks forward to working more closely with the White House and strengthening coordination between federal agencies and the administration.
Trump Replaces Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Chief
The leadership change comes during ongoing debates within the Department of Homeland Security about immigration enforcement strategies.
According to reports, tensions had been building for months over how the department handled immigration crackdowns carried out by ICE. President Trump ultimately decided to appoint Senator Markwayne Mullin to take over the role.
After the announcement, Mullin told reporters that he and the president have a strong relationship and expect to collaborate closely moving forward.
Markwayne Mullin’s Political Background
Markwayne Mullin is currently a Republican senator from Oklahoma. Before joining the Senate in 2023, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives for about 10 years.
During his time in Congress, Mullin has often drawn public attention for his outspoken style and confrontational moments during hearings.
One of the most widely discussed incidents happened in 2023 when Mullin challenged Teamsters President Sean O’Brien to a physical fight during a tense congressional hearing.
The dispute reportedly involved criticism Mullin made about O’Brien’s salary, which was around $200,000 annually, compared to Mullin’s congressional salary of about $174,000.
Controversy Over Salary Claims
Mullin also faced criticism during the same hearing when discussing his own business income.
He stated that while running his plumbing business he paid himself only about $50,000 per year. However, financial disclosures from 2012 showed a different figure.
Those records listed his salary at approximately $92,000, which was nearly double the amount he mentioned during the hearing.
The difference in figures sparked debate among critics and political observers.
Financial Disclosures Show Multimillionaire Status
Recent financial filings show that Mullin is a multimillionaire with various assets and business holdings.
Members of Congress are not required to disclose exact values for their assets. Instead, they report estimated ranges. In addition, personal residences do not need to be included in the disclosures.
As a result, determining a precise net worth can be difficult.
According to available financial disclosures, Mullin’s primary reported income is his congressional salary. However, he and his family own multiple businesses and investment properties.
Business Ventures and Investments
Mullin and his wife Christie have owned Mullin Plumbing in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma for nearly three decades. According to his Senate biography, the company has grown into the largest home services business in the region.
The couple is also connected to several other businesses and investments, including:
- Mullin Ranch LLC, a 1,600-acre cattle ranch and event venue in Oklahoma valued between $1 million and $5 million
- Mullin Family Holdco LLC, a family investment company
- COP Hometown Parent LLC, valued between $500,000 and $1 million
In addition, Mullin Environmental, another business he founded, received a $169,200 Paycheck Protection Program loan during the COVID-19 pandemic. The loan was later forgiven.
Property Holdings Across Multiple States
Financial disclosures also show that Mullin owns or shares ownership in at least 30 real estate properties.
These properties include commercial buildings, residential homes, and land investments.
Most of the properties are located in Oklahoma, but he also owns investment real estate in:
- Washington, D.C.
- Englewood, Florida
At least four of the properties listed in the disclosure are valued at more than $1 million.
Family Business and Restaurant Sale
In 2024, Mullin’s wife sold Rowan’s Restaurant, a steakhouse in Stilwell, Oklahoma. The sale was reported to be worth between $1 million and $5 million.
The restaurant had been started by Mullin and his wife before the sale.
The couple’s business activities are distributed across several companies and investments that involve both family members and business partners.
Large Line of Credit Reported
Mullin’s financial disclosures also revealed a large line of credit taken from financial services firm BNY.
The credit line is reported to be valued between $5 million and $25 million.
Such financial arrangements are often used by business owners to manage investments and business expansion.
Early Life and Career
Mullin grew up on a family ranch in Westville, Oklahoma, where he still lives today with his wife and their six children.
He attended Missouri Valley College on a wrestling scholarship but left school at age 20 to take over the family plumbing business after his father became ill.
Later, he completed a degree in Applied Science in Construction Technology from Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology in 2010.
Among the Wealthiest Members of the Senate
Like several members of Congress, Mullin has accumulated significant personal wealth through business and investments.
Financial analysis firm Quiver Quantitative estimates his net worth could be as high as $65.9 million.
Other wealthy senators include:
- Jim Justice of West Virginia, estimated to be worth around $664 million
- Mark Warner of Virginia, one of the wealthiest Democratic senators, with an estimated net worth between $76 million and $303 million
