Oklahoma senator and former MMA fighter is Trump’s nominee to replace Kristi Noem to lead president’s anti-immigration agenda

Markwayne Mullin, President Donald Trump's pick for Homeland Security secretary, will appear before senators Wednesday for his confirmation hearing. (AP Photo)

President Donald Trump’s new pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security may need a Democrat to keep his nomination from failing in committee. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., faced Republican and Democratic backlash at his first confirmation hearing on Wednesday,

Under Noem, the DHS came under a torrent of scrutiny from both the public and Congress, and this week Mullin will appear before his colleagues in the Senate to field questions about his qualifications and explain why he is the man for the job.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin faces a Senate hearing to replace DHS chief Kristi Noem, amid a shutdown, policy disputes on immigration and FEMA’s future.

Markwayne Mullin says he'd be a steady hand at the Department of Homeland Security if he's confirmed as secretary. But he faced pushback from fellow senators at a hearing Wednesday as DHS tries to move on from the controversies that roiled it under Kristi Noem.

If confirmed, Markwayne Mullin would replace outgoing Secretary Kristi Noem, who was fired earlier this month amid mounting criticism of her leadership of the Department of Homeland Security.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin appeared for his public confirmation hearing to serve as the secretary of Homeland Security after being tapped by President Donald Trump.