‘Tell Me To My Face’: Markwayne Mullin, Rand Paul Clash In Confirmation Hearing | EUROtoday

WASHINGTON ― The wheels have been coming off the wagon the second Markwayne Mullin’s affirmation listening to started Wednesday morning, as Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) tore into the homeland safety secretary nominee over long-standing private beef between the 2.

Paul, who chairs the Senate Homeland Security Committee, devoted most of his time to attacking Mullin for previous remarks he made about Paul being bodily assaulted by his neighbor in 2017, an incident that left Paul with damaged ribs and long-term well being points. President Donald Trump not too long ago tapped Mullin, a Republican senator from Oklahoma, to exchange Kristi Noem to steer the Department of Homeland Security.

“You told the media that I was a freakin’ snake and that you completely understood why I had been assaulted,” Paul advised Mullin. “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.”

The Kentucky Republican additionally accused Mullin of mendacity about telling Paul immediately that he thought he deserved to be assaulted.

“Tell me to my face why you think I deserved it,” Paul fumed. “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 unloaded all of this inside the first 10 minutes of the listening to, earlier than any senators’ questioning had even begun. When Mullin received his flip to speak, he disputed Paul’s declare that he was “a liar” and mentioned he doesn’t condone violence. But doing himself no favors, Mullin repeatedly mentioned he might “understand” why Paul’s neighbor violently attacked him.

He additionally criticized Paul, who controls when ― or if ― the committee holds a vote on advancing Mullin’s nomination.

“Seems like you fight Republicans more than you work with us,” Mullin advised Paul, later including, “You have spent millions of dollars in my campaigns against me. Because we just don’t get along.”

The listening to tumbled ahead for somewhat bit, till Paul went after Mullin once more for by no means apologizing for saying he deserved being bodily attacked.

“The record should show, and I think will show, a lack of contrition, no apology and no regrets for your support,” mentioned the Kentucky senator. “What you’re upset about is that I called you a liar because … it’s really more about this machismo that you have.”

He performed a video clip for the committee of Mullin almost beginning a fist struggle with Sean O’Brien, the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, throughout a 2023 Senate listening to. Days after that incident, Mullin mentioned in an interview that “sometimes people just need to be punched in the face.”

“Is that still your opinion?” requested Paul. “That political disputes can sometimes and often only be resolved by violence?”

As they talked over one another, Mullin took one other swipe on the chairman: “Sir, I get it. It’s about character assassination for you. That’s the way this game is played. … And you are making this about you.”

“Character assassination, when you’re the one lobbing the insult?” snapped Paul. “Who do you think started that character assassination? I’m just repeating what you have done in character assassination!”

Before lengthy, Paul was asking Mullin if he helps duels for resolving disputes.

Citing previous feedback by the Oklahoma Republican suggesting caning and dueling as justified violence, Paul introduced up the 1856 caning of Sen. Charles Sumner and requested Mullin if he believes that was justified. Sumner, an abolitionist Republican from Massachusetts, was almost caned to loss of life on the Senate ground by Rep. Preston Brooks, a pro-slavery Democrat from South Carolina.

“What I was simply pointing out is some of the rules that still apply to this body. For instance, dueling with two consenting adults is still there,” Mullin started.

“It’s been illegal for 170 years,” Paul interjected. “There is no precedent for legal dueling.”

For all their clashing, because the listening to wrapped up hours later, the Kentucky senator mentioned to anticipate the committee to vote to advance Mullin’s nomination on Thursday. There is a caveat, although: Mullin first has to satisfy with senators in a secured room to elucidate a 2016 journey he took that he mentioned is classed, one thing that raised questions with committee members.

And Paul later advised reporters he’ll be voting “no” on Mullin’s nomination.