Senate confirms Trump loyalist Markwayne Mullin as homeland security secretary

Oklahoma senator, confirmed in 54-45 vote, replaces Kristi Noem to lead president’s immigration crackdown Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox The US Senate on Monday confirmed Markwayne Mullin to serve as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, elevating the Republican senator to a role where he will be among the public faces of Donald Trump’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants. The Republican controlled chamber confirmed Mullin largely along party lines, with a vote of 54-45. Rand Paul of Kentucky was the only Republican to vote against him, while Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman and New Mexico’s Martin Heinrich were the sole Democrats to vote in favor. While Fetterman endorsed Mullin shortly after his nomination, support from Heinrich was a surprise. After voting to advance his nomination over the weekend, Heinrich released a statement calling Mullin a “friend” who “is not someone who can simply be bullied into changing his views”. “I look forward to having a secretary who doesn’t take their orders from Stephen Miller,” Heinrich said, referring to the White House official who is an architect of Trump’s immigration policies. Mulli