Paul Challenges Mullin Over Assault Comments During Dhs Grilling

Senate Homeland Security Chair Rand Paul laid into President Donald Trump’s nominee to be Homeland Security on Wednesday, telling Sen. Markwayne Mullin at his confirmation hearing that disparaging comments he’d made about Paul — including about a 2017 attack against him — were out of line.

At the outset of the hearing, Paul (R-Ky.) said he was not sure about the Oklahoma senator for the role of Homeland Security secretary, given Mullin’s comments. Mullin had called Paul a “freaking snake” in February for trying to block the passage of a funding bill and had said he understood why a neighbor attacked Paul in 2017, leaving him with broken ribs and serious respiratory complications.

“Tell it to my face, tell the world why you believe I deserved to be assaulted from behind, have six ribs broken and a damaged lung,” Paul said in his opening statement. “And while you're at it, explain to the American public why they should trust a man with anger issues to” lead the Department of Homeland Security.

Paul also stressed the inappropriateness of Mullin’s namecalling. “You called me a ‘freaking snake,’” Paul said, saying the episode showed Mullin has “low impulse control.”

Mullin replied that he’s a “blunt” person and acknowledged that he and Paul don’t get along, arguing that Paul criticizes Republicans more than Democrats. He did not apologize for, or retract, his earlier comments.

Mullin also said "I don't believe in political violence, I've made that very clear” and accused Paul of pursuing “character assassination.” He rejected Paul’s claim that he had lied about expressing contrition about the comments.

The dramatic exchange suggests Mullin may not be on as much a glide path to confirmation as expected. Paul, as committee chair, represents a critical vote and could slow down efforts to advance his nomination. And Paul has shown a willingness to buck the White House on immigration issues previously.

A Paul aide said that a committee markup on Mullin’s nomination will occur as scheduled on Thursday.

Mullin attempted to defuse the tension with Paul at points.

“As secretary of Homeland, I’ll be protecting everybody, including Kentucky,” Mullin said. “You were elected by your state and I respect that. I may disagree with you, but I respect it.” He also said he was willing to “set aside” the past if Paul was.

But Paul was not satisfied with Mullin’s explanations, rolling a compilation of videos of Mullin justifying his aggressive response in a confrontation with Teamsters boss Sean O’Brien during the Biden administration and generally suggesting he is comfortable with violence.

Mullin responded by noting that O’Brien, who has since become friendly with the Oklahoma Republican, was sitting behind him in support of the nomination.

A neighbor attacked Paul in 2017 while he was doing yard work. The incident was believed to be about a neighborly dispute surrounding lawn care, but it left Paul with serious injuries. Paul’s attacker was convicted and forced to pay Paul damages for the injuries he suffered.

The dispute between Paul and Mullin took a surprising turn when Mullin also worked to justify comments he made praising an infamous 1856 caning incident on the Senate floor, when a pro-slavery Democrat in 1856 caned Sen. Charles Sumner, crushing his skull and leaving him unconscious.

Mullin said dueling was OK between “consenting adults.”

“There’s no precedent” for legal dueling, Paul retorted. Paul also accused Mullin of “machismo.”