Exclusive By: Kanwal Abidi.
Washington D.C. President Trump hosted on March 24, Tuesday, the swearing-in ceremony for the new U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin in the Oval Office. Secretary Mullin was sworn in by Attorney General Pam Bondi. He was accompanied by his wife Christie and their six children.
On March 23, the Senate confirmed Mullin 54-45, on a bipartisan vote. As he was sworn-in, he thanked President Trump and his Senate colleagues for trusting him with this crucial role. Mullin said “I look forward to continue President Trump’s mission to safeguard the American people and defend the homeland.”
Mullin talked about his job's first priority which was to get funding for DHS, so the ‘incredible patriots’ that support “our 22 critical agencies” receive a paycheck and can continue work to keep America safe.
Prior to his confirmation as Secretary Mullin, he served the people of Oklahoma in the United States Senate for three years and in the United States House of Representatives for ten years, serving the 2nd Congressional district.
He was also a successful business man, who owned multiple companies, including his family’s plumbing business, Mullin Plumbing. Over the past 28 years, Secretary Mullin expanded Mullin plumbing to become the largest service company in the region. He also founded various other successful companies ranging from Mullin Environmental to Rowan’s Steakhouse. Additionally, Secretary Mullin is a former undefeated Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter with a professional record of 5-0. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016.
Several industry leaders and associations have spoken about Secretary Mullin and have been largely positive. Henceforth, “a ray of hope ties to Mullin that he will end the partial government shutdown” that has plagued the TSA and the wider travel industry for weeks.
Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association was jubilant on Mullin’s appointment. Rossana Maietta, President and CEO of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) congratulated Mullin and said that part of “the travel sector relies heavily on DHS and several of its subagencies”, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to ensure safe and efficient travel across the country.
TSA will continue to leverage innovation and technology to further usher in the Golden Age of Travel. Under Secretary Mullin, TSA will keep enhancing the traveler experience through new technologies and procedures that make “checkpoints more seamless and secure.” TSA is excited to work with the new Secretary to continue
execute President Trump’s vision and deliver the Golden Age of Travel for the American people.
With the swearing-in ceremony Secretary Mullin would be expected to swiftly ensure the TSA personnel are back on the job and receive the pay they deserve. Continued disruptions have caused partial government shutdown which has created havoc at airports, adding more uncertainty for travelers and ultimately discouraging travel and
undermining confidence in the system.
As the TSA is not being funded due to shutdown, therefore its website is not updated,hence, the administration issued its own press release congratulating Mullin on his confirmation when the Senate voted 54-45.
In the statement, it said “despite the enormous challenges our workforce has faced over the past six months, the men and women of TSA worked every day to ensure travellers reach their destination with all the security and efficiency” TSA could have provided.
Further, the press release stated “around 61,000 TSA employees, including every frontline TSA officer have been working without pay during the DHS shutdown.” We look forward to Secretary Mullin’s leadership to reopen DHS and put money ‘back into our employees’ wallets’.
As we prepare for major events this year, including FIFA World Cup 2026, America’s 250th anniversary and TSA’s 25th anniversary, “we welcome Secretary Mullin’s steadfast commitment to help TSA secure our skies.”
