Mullin promises to earn Dem votes as GOP colleagues pounce on his seat

By Fox News · Fox News

President Donald Trump's move to fire Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and tap Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., as her replacement triggered a domino effect in Congress. Before Mullin can take the helm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), he has to be confirmed. And once confirmed, someone will have to take his seat. Both caveats come with their own hurdles. Senate Democrats may try to toss a wrench into the confirmation process and extract promises for reforms to the agency, particularly Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). DHS has been closed for three weeks, and the shutdown will likely continue for at least a month. SCHUMER WEAPONIZES MULLIN NOMINATION TO DEMAND DHS OVERHAUL, SAYS 'ROT' GOES BEYOND NOEM Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has vowed to oppose Mullin and argued that changes need to be made regardless of who runs the agency. "It’s a question of policy, not personnel," Schumer said. "The Senate should not consider any DHS secretary nominee until DHS and ICE are reined in." Mullin has staunchly opposed Democrats’ demands to reopen the agency and whether he’ll budge to get their votes remains to be seen. But he’s open to speaking with Schumer and his caucus and wants to earn their votes. Whether he can do that before Trump’s March 31 deadline is up in the air. "The Department of Homeland Security is to keep everybody — regardless of whether you support me, if you don't support me, regardless of what your thoughts are — I'm here to enforce the policies that Congress passed," Mullin said. HOUSE DEMOCRATS VOTE TO CONTINUE DHS SHUTDOWN DESPITE IRAN THREAT, NOEM'S OUSTER Then there’s the race for succession. Mullin, who is currently near the end of his first term in the upper chamber, was in the midst of running for re-election. With his appointment by Trump, that seat is now wide open for Republicans hungry to reach the Senate. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, will choose who fills Mullin’s Senate seat in the short…