Will Markwayne Mullin End the DHS Shutdown?
Trump’s selection of Mullin to lead DHS has prompted questions about whether the shutdown negotiations could move forward.

SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYThe Daily Signal is an established, identifiable national publication with named authors, but its conservative editorial orientation is relevant when assessing institutional independence. This article attributes comments to named senators and includes a response from a Democratic senator, though it offers limited sourcing beyond political figures.
- Source type — An established national publication, though its political orientation is relevant context.
- Author attribution — The article names its author and attributes comments to identified senators.
- Editorial standards — The outlet is identifiable, but the article provides limited evidence about its corrections practices or reporting standards.
- Source diversity — It includes Republican and Democratic senators, but relies mainly on statements from political figures.
The article gives a concise account of the funding impasse and quotes senators from both parties on the prospective negotiations and nomination. It provides little independent evidence or detail about the parties’ positions beyond the stated demands and does not include comments from Mullin or a DHS spokesperson.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The article includes statements from both Republican and Democratic senators and describes the reforms Democrats are seeking. It gives more space to the prospect of Democrats changing course than to the reasons for their funding position, and has no independent or agency sources.
- Counterarguments presented — Blumenthal explains the reform issues Democrats want to discuss and says compromise is necessary.
- Source diversity — Senators from both parties are quoted, but no agency official or independent source is included.
- Omitted context — The article gives limited detail on the Democrats’ rationale for withholding funding and the practical effects of the lapse.
- Loaded language — The wording is generally restrained and relies on attributed statements.
The language is mostly reportorial, but the account foregrounds Democrats’ refusal to advance funding and Thune’s call for them to reconsider. It also includes Blumenthal’s explanation of reform demands and willingness to compromise, tempering that framing.
- Language tone — Mostly neutral wording, with the funding impasse described as Democrats refusing to advance measures.
- Framing — The article presents Mullin’s selection as a possible opportunity for Democrats to reconsider their position.
- Source selection — Republican leaders’ criticism is included alongside Blumenthal’s account of reform demands and compromise.
President Donald Trump selected Sen. Markwayne Mullin to replace Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary, prompting speculation that the change could help end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown. Senators cited both the funding impasse and possible immigration-enforcement reforms as issues in the negotiations.
The article says Senate Democrats had refused for more than 24 days to advance Republican-backed DHS funding measures, seeking limits on immigration enforcement practices and requirements such as body cameras. The resulting lapse in appropriations affects an agency with responsibilities beyond immigration, including the Coast Guard, Secret Service and cybersecurity. Senate Majority Leader John Thune argued that Mullin’s selection should prompt Democrats to reconsider, while Sen. Richard Blumenthal said Mullin would face questions about reforms and described compromise as necessary to reach a deal.
Mullin’s nomination will be considered by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, chaired by Sen. Rand Paul. The article describes Paul as having criticized DHS and administration border-enforcement budget requests, and reports that Sen. Thom Tillis praised Mullin as a good choice. Noem is scheduled to leave the position on March 31; a Mullin spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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 →Senator selected to be homeland security secretary
President who selected Mullin for the DHS secretary position
Senate Majority Leader urging Democrats to reconsider their position on DHS funding
Outgoing homeland security secretary
Senator who praised Mullin’s selection
Senator discussing Mullin’s confirmation and possible DHS reforms
Senator and committee chair overseeing Mullin’s confirmation hearing
Part of a bigger story
6 OUTLETSOutlets agree President Donald Trump selected Markwayne Mullin as his nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security, subject to Senate confirmation. Center outlets emphasize Senate divisions over funding and immigration enforcement, with some coverage also revisiting Mullin’s remarks about Rand Paul. Right-leaning outlets stress the hearing and confirmation outlook, while one article asks whether his selection could help end the DHS shutdown.
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