Markwayne Mullin

Markwayne Mullin, born on July 26, 1977, is an American businessman and politician who has served as the United States Secretary of Homeland Security since 2026. A member of the Cherokee Nation, he previously represented Oklahoma’s second congressional district in the U.S. House from 2013 to 2023 and served as a junior U.S. senator for Oklahoma from 2023 until his Cabinet appointment.

Early life and career

Mullin entered the world in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as the youngest of seven children. He was named after two uncles, Mark and Wayne, and grew up in Westville. His maternal grandfather, Kenneth Morris, gave him Cherokee ancestry; Mullin is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation, a heritage that traces back to Native Americans who settled in Oklahoma both before and after the Trail of Tears. In his youth he faced a speech impediment and clubfoot, conditions that required him to wear leg braces.

He attended Stilwell High School, where he wrestled until graduating in 1996. A scholarship brought him to Missouri Valley College, but as his father’s health declined, Mullin left college in 1998 to assume control of the family plumbing business. He later earned an Associate in Applied Science in plumbing from the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology in 2010 and received an honorary doctorate from Bacone College in 2018.

Mullin’s entrepreneurial journey began in earnest when he took over Mullin Plumbing in 1997, a company that then employed six people. By July 2011 it had grown into Oklahoma’s largest plumbing service firm. Over the next decade he expanded his interests to include Mullin Environmental, Mullin Services, and Mullin Properties, as well as ranches in Adair and Wagoner counties. The Oklahoman reported that by July 2013 he owned eight businesses. In December 2021 he sold these enterprises to CenterOak Partners, a Dallas‑based private equity firm; the family continued operating the plumbing business thereafter.

During the 2009–2010 economic stimulus period, Mullin Plumbing received approximately $370,000 in federal funds routed through the Cherokee and Muscogee Nations. He was unaware of the source at the time, though records later indicated that the firm had knowledge of the origin. In the COVID‑19 pandemic era, the company accepted between $350,000 and $1 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans; a White House Twitter account criticized him for having $1.4 million in PPP loans forgiven.

Mullin also pursued a brief career in mixed martial arts from 2006 to 2007, compiling an undefeated record of five wins and zero losses. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016 and operated the Oklahoma Fight Club—a jujutsu and MMA school—in Broken Arrow by 2012.

In addition to his business ventures, Mullin hosted a call‑in radio program called House Talk from 2011 to 2012 on KFAQ. The show focused on home improvement topics and was compared in style to NPR’s Car Talk.

Cabinet tenure

Mullin entered national politics with his election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2013, representing Oklahoma’s second congressional district. He served five consecutive terms through 2023, winning re‑elections in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020.

In February 2022, Senator Jim Inhofe announced his resignation at the end of the 117th Congress. Mullin ran in the special election to fill the vacancy, securing the Republican nomination after a primary and a runoff against state House speaker T.W. Shannon. He defeated Democratic nominee Kendra Horn in the general election, becoming the first tribal citizen to serve in the U.S. Senate since Ben Nighthorse Campbell retired in 2005.

In March 2026, President Donald Trump announced that he had dismissed Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem following allegations regarding misuse of government funds. Trump nominated Mullin to succeed her; the Senate confirmed his appointment, and he was sworn into office later that month. His confirmation made him the first member of the Cherokee Nation to serve in a U.S. Cabinet position.

During his tenure as Secretary, Mullin has overseen the Department of Homeland Security’s broad mandate, which includes safeguarding the nation against threats, managing emergency response efforts, and coordinating border security initiatives. The role places him at the center of federal homeland security policy and operations.

Legacy

Mullin’s career reflects a blend of business acumen, athletic discipline, and public service rooted in his Cherokee heritage. From leading Oklahoma’s largest plumbing company to representing constituents in Congress and ultimately serving as Secretary of Homeland Security, he has broken multiple barriers for Native Americans in federal government. His ascent to the Cabinet underscores a growing recognition of tribal leaders’ contributions to national policy.

Beyond his official duties, Mullin’s background in entrepreneurship and community engagement continues to inform his approach to governance. As Secretary, he remains responsible for coordinating the nation’s homeland security strategy, ensuring that the Department adapts to evolving threats while maintaining readiness across all levels of government. His ongoing service is expected to shape discussions on federal preparedness, emergency response coordination, and border management in the years ahead.