Who is Markwayne Mullin? What to know after Trump fires Kristi Noem
Trump nominated the Oklahoma senator to replace Kristi Noem as Homeland Security secretary.

SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYCredibility rates Nbcchicago, where this article appeared. The other scores rate the article itself.
The reporting is attributed to The Associated Press, an established wire service with professional editorial standards. NBC Chicago is an established local outlet, and the AP attribution makes the reporting source transparent.
- Source type — The article is attributed to The Associated Press, a well-established wire service.
- Author attribution — The byline identifies an AP reporter, and the article also credits AP.
- Editorial standards — The reporting uses attributed claims and a straightforward news format.
- Transparency — The article clearly identifies its reporting source.
The article provides a clear account with claims attributed to Mullin’s website, Pew Research, Politico, and public statements. It gives useful context on Noem’s departure and Mullin’s background, though it offers limited perspectives on the criticisms and little detail about the confirmation process.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The article includes contextual information about Mullin and explains several criticisms of Noem’s tenure, but it gives little response from Noem or detail about the administration’s rationale beyond the reported appointment and new role.
- Counterarguments presented — The article does not include a response from Noem to the criticisms or a detailed explanation from the administration.
- Source diversity — It uses several sources, including public statements and named reporting, but offers limited competing perspectives.
- Loaded language — Some critical terms appear, but they are used in a reportorial account rather than as an extended argument.
- Opinion vs reporting — The piece is presented as news reporting, not opinion.
The article uses a mostly factual, explanatory tone and attributes its characterizations and claims. It reports critically on Noem’s tenure and Mullin’s false election claims without adopting an overt partisan argument.
- Language tone — The language is generally reportorial, with critical descriptions tied to reported conduct and criticism.
- Source selection — The article draws on public statements, Mullin’s website, and named reporting sources.
- Framing — It explains the replacement and provides biographical context rather than arguing for a political conclusion.
Original publisher not identified
This article credits another publisher, which ChamberLight has not identified, so the scores are Nbcchicago's own.
President Donald Trump announced that he would replace Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin. Mullin would need Senate confirmation, and the article profiles his background and political ties as it recounts criticism of Noem’s tenure.
Trump announced that he would replace Noem with Mullin, who would need Senate confirmation but could serve as acting Homeland Security secretary while his nomination is pending. Mullin previously served in the House, owns businesses and a ranch, and has aligned himself with Trump on border security. The article also notes that he promoted false claims that the 2020 election was stolen.
The article says Noem’s departure followed criticism of her immigration enforcement leadership, including after two protesters were shot and killed in Minneapolis, and of her department’s disaster response and spending. Trump said he would appoint Noem as a special envoy for a new Western Hemisphere security initiative.
Community verdict
VOTING CLOSEDNo good or bad look here
This story reports what happened without casting Mullin in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Mullin’s record.
People in this story
SWIPE →Oklahoma senator nominated to become Homeland Security secretary
President who announced Noem’s replacement and nominated Mullin
Trump's version of this story ↗Homeland Security secretary being replaced
Noem's version of this story ↗Senate majority leader quoted describing Mullin’s relationship with Trump
Part of a bigger story
16 OUTLETSOutlets agree President Trump nominated Senator Markwayne Mullin to lead the Department of Homeland Security. Center outlets balance his popularity and appeal as a safe pick against his history of near-physical altercations with hearing witnesses. Right-leaning outlets emphasize the confirmation contest, Mullin’s effort to win Democratic votes and the scramble for his Senate seat. Another article presents him as an experienced, loyal choice for Trump’s immigration agenda.
- ARTICLES
- 16
- OUTLETS
- 16
- AVG CRED
- 74
- Dumb Little Man · Markwayne Mullin From MMA Fighter to DHS Chief? The Rise of a MAGA Loyalist
- World Socialist Web Site · Trump nominates far-right Senator Markwayne Mullin to lead DHS, drawing support from Democrats and Teamsters bureaucracy
- News On 6 · What happens after Mullin's Department of Homeland Security nomination?
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