Trump's DHS pick Markwayne Mullin advances out of Senate committee
Mullin’s nomination advanced after a divided committee vote amid criticism of his conduct at the confirmation hearing.
SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYCredibility rates Nbcconnecticut, which republished this story. The other scores rate the article itself.
NBC News is an established news organization with professional reporting standards, and the story identifies its reporters and attributes the key assessments to named senators. The local NBC affiliate page carries a report by NBC News staff.
- Source type — Established broadcaster and news organization, with strong institutional reporting resources.
- Author attribution — Two NBC News reporters are named.
- Editorial standards — The report uses attributed statements and distinguishes the committee action from the pending full Senate vote.
The report gives the committee tally, explains the consequence for the nomination, and includes statements from senators supporting and opposing Mullin. It offers limited independent context and no response from Mullin to the criticism of his hearing conduct.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The report includes the key opposing and supporting positions and explains the vote’s consequence. Mullin’s response to the criticism of his conduct at the hearing is not included.
- Counterarguments presented — Paul and Peters criticize Mullin, while Fetterman explains his support.
- Source diversity — Several named senators from both parties are quoted or described.
- Omitted context — Mullin is not quoted responding to the criticism of his hearing conduct.
The report presents the committee vote in straightforward terms and includes attributed criticism of Mullin alongside Fetterman’s explanation for supporting him. Its framing does not clearly favor a political side.
- Language tone — Mostly factual, with evaluative terms and claims attributed to the senators who made them.
- Source selection — Includes remarks from lawmakers opposing and supporting the nomination.
- Framing — Centers on the committee result and next procedural step.
Republished with credit
Republished from NBC News, with credit to the original publisher.
273 stories · 85–86 · updated Oct 9, 2026
This is NBC News's own score, and this article is credited to NBC News. The host score in the Source Check is Nbcconnecticut's.
A Senate committee voted 8-7 to advance Markwayne Mullin’s nomination to lead Homeland Security, sending it to the full Senate. Rand Paul opposed him, while John Fetterman’s vote in favor provided the support needed to advance the nomination.
The Senate Homeland Security Committee voted 8-7 to advance President Donald Trump’s nominee, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, to lead the Department of Homeland Security. Rand Paul voted against Mullin and criticized his conduct at a confirmation hearing; John Fetterman voted in favor, saying he approached the nomination with an open mind and supported Mullin’s leadership at DHS. The other Democrats on the committee voted against him.
The nomination now goes to the full Senate, where Mullin needs 51 votes for confirmation. A Senate vote had not been scheduled, though it could take place the following week; Trump said he wanted Mullin to begin by March 31.
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SWIPE →Senator and nominee for secretary of Homeland Security
President who nominated Mullin
Senator who voted for Mullin’s nomination
Outgoing secretary of Homeland Security
Committee ranking member who opposed Mullin’s nomination
Committee chair who voted against Mullin’s nomination
Part of a bigger story
22 OUTLETSA Senate committee advanced Markwayne Mullin’s nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security by an 8-7 vote, sending it to the full Senate. John Fetterman supported the nomination, while Rand Paul opposed it. Center outlets emphasize the committee vote and next procedural step, alongside questions raised at the hearing about Mullin’s qualifications and record. Right-leaning outlets emphasize Fetterman’s support as pivotal to advancing the nomination despite Paul’s opposition.
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- OUTLETS
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- AVG CRED
- 68
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