Rand Paul excoriates Markwayne Mullin for calling him 'freaking snake,' dismissing assault

By Jon Brown, Christian Post Reporter Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., tore into fellow Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., during a Wednesday confirmation hearing, accusing Mullin of being unrepentantly wrathful and temperamentally unsuited to leading the U.S. Department of Homeland Security during a time of heightened political tension.

Paul, who chairs the Senate Homeland Security Committee, brought up during his opening statement that Mullin claimed Paul was "a freaking snake" who deserved the assault he experienced in 2017 at the hands of his neighbor, who tackled him while he was doing yard work at his home in Bowling Green and broke six of his ribs.

Sen. Rand Paul was so explosive towards Sen. Markwayne Mullin at his confirmation hearing that FOX News CUT AWAY! pic.twitter.com/Hyao9VGrqT

— Bannon’s WarRoom (@Bannons_WarRoom) March 18, 2026

Paul, a medical doctor, went into graphic, anatomical detail regarding the level of physical pain he endured in the wake of the assault, which he likened to the pain "of 1,000 knives," and for which he was awarded $580,000 in damages by a Kentucky jury in 2019. He noted he had part of his lung removed, suffered consequent infections and had to employ a rope tied to his bed to pull himself up.

Paul went on to express offense that Mullin was dismissive toward his suffering when he was confronted by his constituents, who were angry that he voted against Paul's amendment to stop funding for refugee welfare programs.

"You told the media that I was 'a freaking snake' and that you completely understood why I had been assaulted," Paul told Mullin. "I was shocked they would justify and celebrate this violent assault that 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," added Paul, who has previously raised concerns about the use of lethal force by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during their crackdown on illegal immigration in Minnesota.

WATCH: Complete heated exchange between Sen. Paul and DHS Secretary Nominee Mullin:

Mullin: "I get it, it's about character assassination for you. That's the way this game is played."

Paul: "It's character assassination when you are the one lauding the assault!" pic.twitter.com/hko4rBghgo

— CSPAN (@cspan) March 18, 2026

"You chose to lash out at me. 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. You got a chance today. You can either continue to lie or you can correct the record," Paul said.

"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. Today I'll give you that chance to clear the record."

"Tell me to my face why you think I deserved it. And while you're at it, explain to the American public why they should trust a man with anger issues to set the proper example for ICE and border patrol agents," he added.

Paul also alleged Mullin has shown "a pattern" of aggressive behavior and showed footage of him challenging Sean O'Brien, a labor union leader, to a physical brawl during a committee hearing in 2023. Mullin noted that O'Brien was in attendance and that the two had made up.

Mullin responded to Paul by arguing over semantics and disputing Paul's assertion that they never spoke privately about the issue, noting, "I did not say I supported [the assault], I said, 'I understood it.' Everybody in this room knows that I'm very blunt and direct to the point. And if I have something to say, I'll say it directly to your face."

"I've worked with many people in this room. It seems like you fight Republicans more than you work with us," Mullin continued. "And as far as me saying that I invoke violence … I don't think anybody should be hit by surprise. I don't like that."

Paul also raised particular concern when Mullin appeared to justify dueling between "two consenting adults" and the near-fatal 1856 caning of former Sen. Charles Sumner, an abolitionist Republican from Massachusetts, whose assault at the hands of pro-slavery Democratic congressman Preston Brooks in the U.S. Capitol was one of the major political flashpoints leading up to the Civil War.

Mullin was nominated by President Donald Trump last week to replace DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who received criticism from Republicans for approving a $220 million ad campaign featuring herself that encouraged illegal immigrants to self-deport. Trump denied Noem's claim that he personally authorized the hefty price tag of the ads.