Markwayne Mullin will serve as Donald Trump's next Department of Homeland Security secretary, elevating the US senator to helm the agency at the center of the president's controversial immigration enforcement effort and an ongoing shutdown.
The Senate confirmed the nomination on Monday night, less than three weeks after Trump tapped Mullin to take over from embattled Secretary Kristi Noem.
Mullin is set to take over a department in turmoil. Its funding lapsed on February 14, and while lawmakers and the administration have engaged in negotiations in an effort to end the shutdown, a deal has not yet been reached. Democrats have demanded changes to immigration enforcement procedures and tactics following the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minnesota.
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