President Trump fired his embattled homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, on Thursday and announced plans to replace her with Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, after she was grilled by Republican lawmakers this week at congressional hearings on a variety of topics, including her knowledge of a lucrative advertising contract.
Mr. Trump announced the change on social media, along with a new, and previously nonexistent, role for Ms. Noem: special envoy for the Shield of the Americas, which he said would be a new security initiative for the Western Hemisphere.
29 comments:
Going from very poor to worse? And giving Cat Women a new litter box to play in?
That heading goes beyond ridiculous. I do understand how the left feels about Mullin because he is not part of the highbrow class like the kennedy's. He is just a plumber or in democrat terms working class.
He is combative and prepared so it will be interesting
When I researched him, I discovered that he's in the Oklahoma Hall of Fame for his championships in wrestling. You're the one who apparently sees that as "ridiculous."
Senator Mullin has been confrontational in the past:
During a Senate committee hearing in November 2023, he challenged Teamsters President Sean O'Brien to a fight, later telling Fox News he was not above biting and that his constituents would be upset if he didn't stand up for himself.
In early 2025, Mullin posted a video suggesting that journalists would not write "fake news" if violence were still used to settle disputes. After facing backlash, he later claimed the comments were intended as a "joke". Ha, ha, ha!
He has also made blunt remarks on policy, such as stating, "We don't pay people in this country to be lazy" regarding Medicaid. Most Medicaid recipients are veterans, the disabled, and children. As a US senator, he should have known that and not impugn Americans who depend on Medicaid to stay alive.
Just recently, Mullin drew heavy criticism for describing the "smell," "taste," and "feel" of war in his nostrils during a Fox News appearance regarding operations in Iran. Critics, including military veterans, pointed out that Mullin has never served in the military himself, making his graphic descriptions appear performative or disconnected from reality.
The public and political reaction to Senator Markwayne Mullin’s March 2, 2026, comments about the "smell of war" was overwhelmingly critical, with the backlash centered on his lack of military service and perceived "stolen valor"
Mullin comes off as pugnacious and not very well informed. Which has nothing to do with his being a plumber or a wrestler; it has to do with his character.
But, as well all know, today's Republican Party cares nothing for a person's character, moral or otherwise, in fact, the baser one's character is, the farther one will rise in the current Republican Party, q.v., Trump, Donald J.
Those of us involved with hiring and firing know that we failed miserably if we had to fire someone. Trump is all about TV and Skud probably really liked the old "You're Fired" series. IMO, Trump couldn't run a hot dog stand.... and there are those that still don't understand that.
Exactly the type of character the Fuhrer Trump finds attractive, because it mirrors his own. And thr Fuhrer is only interested in yes men and women.
Of course the MAGA faithful will give him accolades for being strong, decisive, etc, etc, etc.
It is not the Fuhrer remaking America in the image of an ignorant Tyrant. It is the republican party, Christian Nationalists. and the Heritage Foundation via Project 2025.
I guess in your eyes if someone has an accomplishment that is how they should be defined. How much military experience does does biden, obama, trump have yet they all plunged the US into wars.
"Most people on Medicaid are children and adults (collectively making up over 75% of enrollees)" which is a brilliant statement.
Children: Represent roughly 36%–41% of all Medicaid beneficiaries, making them one of the largest groups.
Adults (Non-Disabled): Approximately 42% of beneficiaries are adults.
How many congressworms come off as well informed. AOC, Crockett, Sanders and Shifty.
Yes BB Idaho. Whe I was in a different life, when I was responsible for the people who reported to me, I always believed If I had to fire someone I had failed. Failed to give the the support or guidance that they needed. Unless of course it was the result of absenteeism.
If you don't define someone in public office by their accomplishments, what DO you use to define them? I remember when Mr. Obama was running for the presidency reading and hearing Republicans defining him as a "community organizer." Many Republicans turned MAGA still use that to define Mr. Obama.
You focused on the wrong reason Mullin's non-military experience was mentioned. It had NOTHING to do with the fact that he did not serve.
You missed the point entirely. Mullin was criticized for pretending to know what being in a war was like. He described it from something he read, not experienced, and THAT'S why people criticized him. He never experienced war, but talked as though he had.
Rep. AOC graduated cum laude from Boston University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Economics.
Rep. Crockett earned her B.A. in Business Administration from Rhodes College (2003) and a Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center (2006).
Sen. Sanders graduated from the University of Chicago with a bachelor's degree in political science in 1964.
Sen. Schiff earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Stanford University in 1982 and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 198.
Sen. Mullin attended Missouri Valley College on a wrestling scholarship, but did not graduate, and earned an Associate of Applied Science in Construction Technology from Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology in 2010.
Skud has "plunged the US into wars" as much as Obama and Biden did.
Wise leaders surround themselves with and listen to the experience, and wisdom gained through the experience of their advisors before making decisions. But when a leader surround themselves with yes men and women they simply get fed back to themselves that which they wanted to hear.
Which defines Trump and his decision making. Ask the yes people and whee, away he goes.
So being a member of the wrestling hall of fame is a bad thing. We don't need people with a skill, like construction technology or running a business. What we need more of are lawyers and political science majors. They contribute so much to society especially lawyers who don't practice law but become professional politicians so they can increase their millions without working. At least AOC held a job prior to he being selected to be a politician.
Markwayne Mullin is NOT qualified for the job:
Highest undergrad degree is an associate's in construction technology.
The only sitting U.S. senator without a bachelor's degree.
No law enforcement background
No national security experience
No homeland security, intelligence, or emergency management experience.
And he's been chosen to head the 3rd largest federal agency.
Skud,
And you point is? Lawmakers shouldn't be lawyers? Education, experience, and qualifications matter less than loyalty to a criminal? Mullen still parrots Trump's Big Lie. Tells us all we need to know about him.
Trump isn't a lawyer, but he's grifting billions for himself and his family from his corruption.
That's his only "skill", but he's doing a great job, right?
He IS part Cherokee. GOP ripped Elisabeth Warren for her Indian heritage. She took DNA tests and had Indian ancestors, but they were NOT Cherokee and The Donald continues in his gauche way to call her Pocahantas. Gotta give Markwayne credit for not shooting his puppy in the face and bragging about it. -and sit back and watch.
skudrunner:
"So being a member of the wrestling hall of fame is a bad thing."
There you go again! Writing about things I NEVER said! Why do you do that?
You were a small businessman. Would you hire someone to work for you in your business (I don't know what it was) who had zero experience in that business? We do know that sometimes a clever, smart person CAN learn while on the job. But being head of the nation's 3rd largest governmental agency isn't a place where "on-the-job-training is a good thing. Apparently Markwayne knows NOTHING about Homeland Security, and wasn't even consulted by the Clown in the Oval Office before being given the job. Markwayne found out he was hired via a Truth Social post.
Is that anyway to run a business??
MAGA bragged about the advantages of having a businessman (Trump) run the country -- a businessman who had several bankruptcies and was convicted of fraud in his business dealings, BTW.
But a country is NOT a business, and Trump has failed upward all his godforsaken life, and look at what he's done now -- dragged the US into another Middle East war! And he's promised that Cuba will be next .
He makes George W. Bush look like Mother Teresa!
It's folks like skud, -FJ, Joe Con, and folks on the Mothership of Fantasy that authoritarian leaders like Trump delight in. Why? Because they tend to be followers and likely were highly conditioned early on in life to accept authoritarian rule unquestionably. To honor and obey the one appearing to be the "strong man" in charge. Likely they are folks that prefer to be lead and told what to think as well as what to do. Rather than to think independently or lead lead.
They very likely prefer their path be decided for them rather than to think for themselves. It is easier for them to have a dictator to spell it out than to use their intellect to decide for themselves. It's also why many, if not most, are Christian Nationalists who are waiting for The End Times. Which is why so many of them are supportive of the Butcher Netanyahu's and Trump's War if Choice>/b> against the hated Iran. A nation that actually has a unstandable reason to distrust the west completely.
So here we are. Staring at the possibility of a protected war extending beyond the Middle East. With the potential of it becoming the Third World War. A far that could very well turn nuclear. A thought that SHOULD chill everyone who is thinking clearly. But the Butcher's supporters and the Orange Man's supporters prefer to blindly follow their masters in their destruction and death spiral.
Assuming we don't end up destroying the planet, when it all settles and the new world order is in place, whatever that may look like, the West will undoubtedly be the big loosers.
And Donald J. (the loser) Trump and his buddy The Butcher Netanyahu will bear full responsibility.
Also, in one year serving in Congress, Mullin’s wealth increased by $45 million.
Agreed, Les. Bibi says "Trumpy Dumpty, jump" and Donald hopscotches around the gold encrusted oval office. We live in interesting times.
I go into the mountains above Oaxaca City for a few days and the wheels seem to have come off the car of sanity in the US.
ICE Barbie is out because she ran a $200 million vanity "we'll get you" campaign, instead of using that money to better train the goons arresting grandmothers here illegally who spend their days cleaning people's houses.
So that's a good thing.
But then the person who was fired now heads up a government organization that doesn't even exist because POTUS Trump just can't fire someone his base likes.
But then to replace her, Mr I Only Hire The Best People Trump, a man who has railed about DEI requirements giving unqualified people jobs, nominates Sen. Markwayne Mullin to replace her and run a huge government organization.
Now I'm generally a "President gets who he wants in his Cabinet" kind of guy, providing that person is semi qualified. Especially for these lesser Cabinet positions.
But c'mon people, and I'm speaking to anyone defending the Mullin hire... how is this person even semi-qualified to be a Cabinet Secretary of anything? Sure, Mullin managed his family plumbing business, which by most accounts grosses about $22 million bucks annually.
But the DHS budget of $115 billion is over 5000 times larger than ANY budget Mullin has ever managed. Looking at employees, I asked Google's AI to help me analyze the difference between the 125 or so employees at Mullin Plumbing and the 260,000+ employees at DHS.
Here's what it said...
*********
It’s a classic "David vs. Goliath" comparison. When you put a family-owned service business next to a federal department, the sheer scale of the government's reach becomes staggering.
The Budget: DHS spends Mullin’s entire annual revenue ($22M) roughly every 1 hour and 40 minutes.
The Workforce: For every one Mullin plumber, DHS has a small "army" of 2,080 employees.
The most striking difference is that Mullin Plumbing operates primarily in northeastern Oklahoma, while DHS manages over 6,000 miles of international borders and every major airport in the country.
*********
Can someone, anyone, show me how the Mullin hire, a guy who last week could not define war, is not a DEI hire?
Go ahead, I'll wait!
A former Sec of energy was a co-chair of a democrat presidential campaign, very qualified.
A former Sec of transportation was the mayor of a small city, very qualified.
Appointments are political payoffs and have always been. Has very little to do with qualifications.
BB, Warren used her "indian heritage" from 10 generations ago therefor a minority to gain advantage Mullin did not. I think it is deplorable that he dropped out of college to help his parents.
He can't be any worse that the hair doo he is taking over from.
Don't be suprized Dave if your 2'nd home Mexico is attacked after Lunatic Emporer Trump is done with effecting regime change in Cuba and takes control there.
Trump is s deranged madman and is making the entire globe a much more dangerous place. For everyone.
Rather than making america great again he is making the entire world a dangerous place along with his buddy Butcherman Netanyahu.
Shaw... I've noticed online people citing the experience of some Democratic Cabinet leaders also not having what they deem relevant experience. The Cab Sec du Jour is always Mayor Pete, a guy who managed a budget of over $400 million.
It doesn't matter the evidence anyone cites. If someone leans MAGA, GOP, or just plain right wing wacko, no amount of evidence will ever get them to say Trump did wrong, appointed unqualified ppl, lied, was convicted of a felony, free and fairly lost an election, etc., etc.
So why should we even talk to them at this point?
A very excellent observation/question Dave. When folks have marinated enough in disinformation and lies long enough and accept the disinformation and lies as truth is indeed impossible to show them light and truth. Their wilfull ignorance is indeed impenetrable.
Dave, "So why should we even talk to them at this point?" Maybe broaden your horizons and learn a different perspective. Seems to be tough for a yellow dog to consider someone who differs may have a good idea.
Skud, I'll be honest with you. I've been trying to avoid ANY conversations with you because you're not an honest person in discussions. Both Shaw and I have called you out on frequently reading into our words your opinion of what we have written.
In fact, you did it in this thread. Again. But you never apologize or admit error.
Please tell me why we should even consider the thoughts of someone who does that, gets called on it and NEVER admits a mistake, apologizes, or tries to make amends?
I used to think you were better than most MAGA, GOP supporters commenting online. There were times I even defended you here. But no more. Because you have not earned that defense, or our respect.
That being said, let me say I have many friends on the right whom I respect, and who respect me. They can see the harm Trump is doing, even as they continue to support him. They like his policies, if not the way he carries them out. But they admit many in the GOP are in cult, confused or simply nuts.
They can see some logic in my points and they never lie about what I've said. They tell me they did not like Biden or Obama, but they try to be respectful of those men, because they were presidents. And my friends respect the office, so they show deference as best they can.
I've never heard a one of them use snark in describing a president they disliked. Unlike you with your "swell guy" and "sleepy joe" monikers.
You see, I can see some good stuff Trump has done over the years, and I've said so here. Straight up, with no snark. Yes I've made mistakes, misstated facts, and have apologized, even to you. Just as my many right wing friends have over the years to me.
You? Rarely, if ever.
So no, I don't care to talk to you. You've not earned my time as it relates to politics because as I've said numerous times, and you demonstrated here earlier in this thread you unabashedly mischaracterize the words of others.
And when called on it, you dig in, defend and punch back. Just like a MAGA supporting, Trump, GOP loving person would.
I'd end with my classic "Why is that" question, but we all know you can't or won't answer direct questions, so why should I bother?
Enjoy amigo...
Dave Miller, I read skud's reply to you and about lost my coffee. I second your comment that skud doesn't learn from their mistakes, refuses to concede defeat when the facts are presented, and even told me once my facts were "merely" my opinion.
That said, I stopped directly speaking to them when they wouldn't take a side in the Trump-Epstein issue, meaning they would not speak out against Trump. For me that was the line, the defining moment where they made the deliberate choice to protect and defend those who SA children.
Some lines get crossed that aren't easily erased. This is one of those times.
Also the absolute arrogance to say you wouldn't speak to others to get their perspective. On this blog you've listened to me and I to you and I'm a hippy dippy liberal with some military adjacent training and you are a person of the Christian clergy with all kinds of lived life experiences. We shouldn't even know each other yet here we are.
In a way this very conversation illustrates skuds inability to be observant to their surroundings. Sad really but altogether predictable by their fellow humans in the MAGA cult.
Dave, When the title starts with "A Champion MMA wrestler is now head of Homeland Security." how am I suppose to interpret it. As to my characterization of President Biden and President Obama and how I was disrespectful and I am the only one doing that. It does seem you don't read posts from others who call the president orange turd, trumpy dumpy etc.
As to being honest I am not a republican and certainly not a trump supporter. I despise politicians as being leaches on the American people but you keep telling me those are not my beliefs. Maybe a chill pill is in order.
So Skud's not a Republican.
He just buys into all their disinformation and gaslighting and never votes for Democrats .
Skud... you're so tiresome. In the past I've stated verifiable facts regarding immigration. You've incorrectly interpreted those facts and then posted stuff like "Dave, you said" or "Dave, you believe", even though I never said anything of the sort.
You interpreted my words to mean something that was incorrect, and then credited your interpretation of my words, as my direct statement.
And you've done it to many people here. We've all noticed it and many have remarked on it, directly to you in comments. But you've decided not to take care and avoid doing so. You are just like the host at the Mothership who interprets factual headlines, that are indeed negative towards Trump or his Admin, as nasty attacks.
Interpretations of a commenters words are not his or her words.
The headline reads "A Champion MMA wrestler is now head of Homeland Security". You asked how to interpret it.
Here's how... it's a factual statement. A headline. No interpretation necessary. It's a stand alone statement. Nowhere in the post did Shaw say being a MMA Champion is a bad thing. In fact for me, good on Mullin for his championship belt. I'm happy to have a MMA, a WBA or even a WWE champion as president. Provided they have other qualifications for the job.
Mullin does not. He has no qualifications for the job. Not one, none.
And yet rather than deal with that, you mischaracterize Shaw's words. As you have a history of doing here.
Bro... when multiple people call you out, quit digging and listen.
BTW... if you've voted for people that support Trump, you are a Trump supporter. If your only choice is between a Trump supporter and a raging liberal, then don't vote.
I've done that many times. I simply will not hold my nose and vote for anyone with whom I disagree. Better no one, than a compromised vote.
IMO, a vote for Trump and vote for ppl who support him are one in the same. Supportive.
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