Nebraska AG Hilgers backs Mullin for Homeland Security post

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers has joined fellow state attorneys general in signing a letter supporting the nomination of U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin to serve as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, according to a statement released by his office on March 16.

The Oklahoma Republican's nomination advanced following his confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on March 18. The Senate confirmed Mullin's nomination on March 24 in a bipartisan vote of 54-45, with two Democrats joining all 52 Republicans in supporting his appointment.

Mullin takes the helm of DHS amid an ongoing shutdown that has left approximately 100,000 of the department's workforce without pay, tasked with overseeing immigration enforcement and border security policies that are central to President Trump's second-term agenda. He was sworn in by President Trump on March 24.

Prior to his confirmation, Mullin served in the Senate for three years after previously representing Oklahoma's 2nd Congressional District in the House for a decade. Before entering politics, he was a successful businessman who owned multiple companies, including his family's plumbing business, which he expanded into the largest service company in the region.

During his confirmation hearing, Mullin pledged a more collaborative approach to immigration enforcement than his predecessor, Kristi Noem, signaling willingness to engage with critics and consider modifications to departmental practices. Two Democratic senators — John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico — voted to confirm him, citing their personal relationships and confidence in his leadership abilities.