Rand Paul Lays Into Trump’s DHS Nominee Over Alleged Anger Issues

Republican Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul confronted Markwayne Mullin, the nominee to be the next Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary, about his alleged anger issues during a Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday.

Mullin said on Feb. 14 that he understood why Paul’s neighbor attacked him in November 2017, which caused Paul to suffer from six broken ribs and several bouts of pneumonia. During his opening statement before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Paul suggested that someone who celebrates violence against their political opponents is not qualified to serve as the DHS secretary.

“I was shocked that you would justify and celebrate this violent assault,” Paul said. “It caused me so much pain and my family so much pain. I just wonder if someone who applauds violence against their political opponents is the right person to lead an agency that has struggled to accept limits to the proper use of force. You might argue you were mad and upset about being confronted by your constituents. But Senator Mullen, your constituents are justifiably upset with you.”

Paul also disputed Mullin’s claim that he directly told Paul that he deserved to be attacked.

“You went on to brag that you’d already told me, to my face, that you completely understood and approved of the assault. Well, that’s a lie,” Paul continued. “You got a chance today. 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.”

“I’m not apologizing for pointing out your character,” Mullin told Paul during the hearing. “I did not say I supported it, I said I understood it. There’s a difference.”

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