During Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s (R-OK) March 18, 2026, confirmation hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which is chaired by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), to become DHS Secretary under Trump, Rand Paul opened with a personal attack on the incoming Trump appointee.
For context, he referenced Mullin’s past comments after Paul’s 2017 neighbor assault, in which Paul accused him of calling Paul a “freaking snake” and justifying the violence. Mullin denied endorsing violence, claimed he addressed it face-to-face years ago, emphasized his blunt style, and accused Paul of fighting Republicans more than collaborating.
In any case, controversial senator Paul began, “You told the media that I was a freaking snake and that you completely understood why I had been assaulted. I was shocked that you would justify and celebrate this violent assault that caused me so much pain and my family so much pain.”
Building on that point, he added, “You went on to brag that you had already told me to my face that you completely understood and approved of the assault. Well, that’s a lie. You got a chance today.”
Concluding his comments, the RINO said, “You can either continue to lie, or you can correct the record. You have never had the courage to look me in the eye and tell me that the assault was justified. So today you’ll have your chance.”
Firing back, Markwayne Mullin, said, “I think before I can start my opening statement, I have to address the remarks that the chairman made, calling me a liar, sir, I think there’s everybody in this room knows that I’m very blunt and direct to the point, and if I have something to say, I’ll say it directly to your face.”
The Oklahoma senator noted, “If you recall back in your back in my house days, we actually did have this conversation because remarks that I’ve made you were in a room. I simply addressed that.”
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“I said I could understand because of the behavior you’re having that I can understand why your neighbor, by the neighbor, did what he did, as far as my terms, the snake in the grass, sir, I work around this room to try to fix problems,” Mullin added.
Building a crescent, the courageous Trump nominee asserted, “I’ve worked with many people in this room. Seems like you fight Republicans more than you work with us. I did address those remarks. I did explain your gimmicks by the amendment you put forth. And as far as me saying that I invoke violence, I don’t, I don’t think anybody should be hit by surprise. I don’t like that.”
“But if I do have something to say, everybody in this room knows I’ll come straight to you. I’ll say it publicly, and I’ll say it privately, but I’ll never say it behind your back,” Mullin said to respond to the irritating RINO.
Watch the clip here:
Concluding his remarks, he added, “So for you to say, am I liar, sir, that’s not accurate, and I got proof to say that, because you have spent millions of dollars in my campaigns against me, because we just don’t get along. However, sir, that doesn’t keep me at all from doing my job.”
Featured image from embedded video