
Markwayne Mullin is conservative, Christian, Cherokee, and the new head of DHS
From Code Switch by NPR
March 25, 2026 · 35 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the implications of Markwayne Mullin's confirmation as the head of the Department of Homeland Security.
On Monday, Sen. Markwayne Mullin was confirmed as the newest head of the Department of Homeland Security, replacing Kristi Noem. It's an enormously consequential role that involves taking charge of ICE, border patrol, and TSA. And Mullin is an interesting choice for the role — he's a conservative, Christian citizen of Cherokee nation, known both for his ability to reach across the aisle, and for being a political firebrand. So today on the show, we're asking: What will Markwayne Mullin's leadership of DHS mean for Indian Country? And what will it mean for the nation as a whole? See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy
Topics covered
- politics
- government
- Indian Country
- leadership
- DHS
Keywords
- Markwayne Mullin
- Department of Homeland Security
- ICE
- border patrol
- TSA
- Cherokee nation
- political firebrand
Mentioned in this episode
Places: Indian Country
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