Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma) faced a tough confirmation hearing to replace former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who was fired after a controversial tenure marked by policy and public relations missteps. The hearing was held amid concerns about the partial government shutdown and President Trump's immigration crackdown. Mullin pledged to take a less partisan approach to the position than his predecessor, Noem. The partial shutdown has caused widespread disruption for air travel and forced Transportation Safety Administration screeners to work without paychecks. Despite Democrats' refusal to fund all of DHS without significant reforms to the immigration crackdown, Mullin remains optimistic about his position.