The Senate confirmed Markwayne Mullin as the new homeland security secretary, confirming him as President Donald Trump's nominee to take over the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following the firing of Kristi Noem due to backlash over the administration's immigration enforcement and mass deportation operations. Mullin, a Republican senator from Oklahoma, has been known for his close friendship with Trump and his close ties to the administration. He takes over at a difficult time as DHS has been without routine funding since February due to a budget standoff and a public backlash over immigration enforcement. His first task will be to restore routine funding to the department, which has been blocked since mid-February due to Democrats' demands for tighter restraints. Mullins also faces a strong lobby within the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is under scrutiny as it delivers disaster aid.