Trump Picks Undefeated MMA Fighter and Assembly of God Christian Markwayne Mullin to Lead DHS

Who Is Markwayne Mullin? Trump's New DHS Secretary Pick and What Christians Should Know

President Donald Trump announced his nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin, Republican of Oklahoma, to serve as the next Secretary of Homeland Security, effective March 31, 2026. Mullin will replace Kristi Noem, who is being reassigned to serve as special envoy for The Shield of the Americas.

Trump praised Mullin on Truth Social, calling him a "MAGA Warrior, and former undefeated professional MMA fighter" who "truly gets along well with people." Trump vowed that Mullin "will work tirelessly" to protect border security and combat migrant crime and drug trafficking.

Mullin, 47, is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation and the first tribal citizen to serve in the U.S. Senate in nearly two decades. He was first elected to the U.S. House in 2012 and won a special Senate election in 2022 to complete Senator James Inhofe's term.

Before entering politics, Mullin built Mullin Plumbing into the largest service company in his region after taking over the family business at age 20 when his father fell ill. He also ran Mullin Environmental and Rowan's Steakhouse. He holds an undefeated 5 and 0 record in professional mixed martial arts and was inducted into the Oklahoma Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016.

Mullin is a devout Christian and member of the Assembly of God Church. He has spoken publicly about giving his heart to the Lord in August 1997, drawing a distinction between simply attending church and truly serving God.

I get up every morning and pray that the Lord would give me the wisdom to know the good from the bad.

Mullin said of his daily faith practice.

On immigration, Mullin has been one of Trump's most vocal allies. He stated plainly:

Nothing is going to prevent me from doing my job. I'm going to enforce the policies Congress passed.

He has supported the "Remain in Mexico" policy and backed ICE enforcement operations across the country.

The nomination requires Senate confirmation. Republicans hold 53 of 100 seats, and Democrat Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania has already pledged to vote yes, making Mullin's confirmation all but certain. The Senate Homeland Security Committee has scheduled his hearing for March 18.

Senator Markwayne Mullin: A Man of Faith, Family, and National Security

Mullin has been married to his wife Christie for 28 years. Together they have six children: Jayce, Jim, Andrew, Larra, Ivy, and Lynette. He has emphasized that his faith, family, and values rooted in his Oklahoma upbringing have shaped his approach to public service.

Nearly 50 House Republicans have signed a letter backing Mullin for the DHS role, calling this "a critical moment for border security." He currently serves on the Armed Services, Appropriations, and Indian Affairs committees.

The Crusader's Opinion

It is rare in American politics today to see a man who openly professes his faith in Jesus Christ and actually lives it out. Senator Mullin gets up every morning and prays for wisdom. He does not hide from his convictions. He stands by them.

The border is not just a political issue. It is a moral one. Fentanyl is slaughtering American families. Human trafficking is destroying lives. These are evils that demand leaders with backbone, and Mullin is a man who literally fights. Five professional MMA fights, five wins, zero losses. That is the kind of resolve this nation needs at the Department of Homeland Security. Godspeed, Senator.

Take Action

• Pray for Senator Mullin's confirmation and that God grants him wisdom and courage in this role.
• Contact your senator and urge them to confirm Mullin as DHS Secretary. Find your senator at senate.gov.
• Support organizations fighting human trafficking at the border, including The Shepherd's Shield.
• Support Open Doors and Voice of the Martyrs in their work protecting persecuted Christians worldwide.
• Share this article with your church community and encourage discussion about the intersection of faith and national security leadership.