Let's talk about Trump's DHS pick being in a fight for confirmation.... - Belle of the Ranch

[TexasTowelie]

Well, howdy there Internet people. It's Belle again. So, today we're going to talk about Trump's DHS pick being in a fight for confirmation.

Senator Markwayne Mullin's nomination for Homeland Security Secretary is going about as predicted. The senator's temper came up pretty quickly. Senator Rand Paul asked Markwayne to, "Tell the world why you believe I deserve to be assaulted from behind, have six ribs broken and a damaged lung. Tell it 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."

Reminder, these agencies aren't currently being funded because congressional leaders are demanding reform due to their behavior. After the normal evasion expected from anybody Trump nominates, Markwayne said, "I did not say I supported it. I said I understood it."

After that, the nominees incident with a Teamster's boss came up. If you don't remember, Markwayne tried to pick a fight with a witness at a hearing until he was stood down by Senator Bernie Sanders. Reminder, some of the allegations against the agency he's being tapped to lead include witness intimidation.

After the hearing, Senator Paul didn't seem convinced that Trump had chosen the right man for the job, saying, "I think there are anger issues. There's a lack of contrition, both about the violence perpetrated on me, really the violent episode he was involved in in the Senate committee, where he's told the media, frankly, that he doesn't regret it. The fact that he can't bring himself to say that we really shouldn't settle political questions with violence. I think that would be a terrible example for ICE and for Border Patrol agents.

Senator Rand Paul is the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee. If he opposes the nomination, there's a small chance he doesn't get the job. That being said, Democrats may snatch defeat from the jaws of victory because Senator Fetterman is also on the committee. The Democratic senator has a habit of voting with Republicans at inopportune times.

With Republicans currently blocking funding to all other DHS agencies to try to push through funding for ICE and CPD without reforms there might be other Republicans on the committee who don't see putting a guy with his temperament in charge of an agency that polling says most Americans feel has gone over the line as a good idea. Polling says 65% of Americans disapprove of how ICE is enforcing immigration.

So what should be a routine nomination with guaranteed confirmation is a little up in the air at the moment. It's also important to remember that appeasing Trump carries less and less importance for Republican senators as Trump waddles into his lame duck era faster than his policies increased inflation and gas prices. Even with all this, most math says that just the tradition of senatorial courtesy will probably lead to confirmation. It's a vote they might regret.

Anyway, it's just a thought. Y'all have a good day.