History of Markwayne Mullin in Timeline

Markwayne Mullin is an American politician and businessman. A Republican, he currently serves as the United States secretary of homeland security since 2026. Prior to this position, he was the junior United States senator from Oklahoma from 2023 to 2026. Before serving in the Senate, Mullin represented Oklahoma's second congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2023.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1925: Last Cherokee Nation Member Served in US Senate

In 1925, Robert L. Owen retired, the last time a member of the Cherokee Nation served in the United States Senate before Mullin was sworn in on January 3, 2023.

July 26, 1977: Markwayne Mullin Born

On July 26, 1977, Markwayne Mullin was born.

Others born on this day/year

1996: Graduated from Stilwell High School

In 1996, Markwayne Mullin graduated from Stilwell High School, where he wrestled.

1997: Assumed Control of Mullin Plumbing

In 1997, Markwayne Mullin assumed control of his family's plumbing business, Mullin Plumbing.

1997: Mullin marries Christie Renee Rowan

In 1997, Markwayne Mullin married Christie Renee Rowan, whom he had dated since high school.

1998: Left College to Manage Family Business

In 1998, Markwayne Mullin left Missouri Valley College to take control of his family's business due to his father's deteriorating health.

1998: Assumed Control of Family Business

In 1998, Markwayne Mullin took over his family's plumbing business.

1998: Oklahoma First All-Republican Delegation

In 1998, Mullin helped secure the first all-Republican delegation for Oklahoma since the 1998 elections.

2005: Last Tribal Citizen Served in US Senate

In 2005, Ben Nighthorse Campbell resigned, the last time a tribal citizen served in the United States Senate before Mullin was sworn in on January 3, 2023.

2005: Ben Nighthorse Campbell Retired

In 2005, Ben Nighthorse Campbell, the previous tribal citizen to serve in the United States Senate, retired before Mullin became a senator.

2006: Professional MMA Fighter

In 2006, Markwayne Mullin began his career as a professional mixed martial arts fighter.

2007: End of MMA Career

In 2007, Markwayne Mullin concluded his career as a professional mixed martial arts fighter.

2009: Saylor Convicted of Gun-Related Crimes

In 2009, Tim Saylor was convicted of gun-related crimes.

2010: Received Associate's Degree

In 2010, Markwayne Mullin received an Associate in Applied Science in plumbing from the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology.

June 2011: Dan Boren Announced Retirement

In June 2011, Oklahoma representative Dan Boren announced that he would not run for reelection in the United States House of Representatives election for Oklahoma's second congressional district.

July 2011: Mullin Plumbing Became Oklahoma's Largest Plumbing Service

By July 2011, Mullin Plumbing had grown to become Oklahoma's largest plumbing service company.

2011: Hosted House Talk Radio Program

By 2011, Markwayne Mullin had begun hosting "House Talk", a call-in radio program focused on home improvement.

2011: Entered House of Representatives Election

In 2011, Markwayne Mullin entered the 2012 United States House of Representatives election for Oklahoma's second congressional district.

2011: Mullin calls for firing "career bureaucrats" in Washington, D.C.

In his 2011 campaign announcement, Mullin called for firing "career bureaucrats" in Washington, D.C.

March 2012: Complaint Filed Against Mullin's Campaign

In March 2012, a complaint was filed with the Federal Election Commission alleging that Mullin's campaign had accepted excessive and corporate contributions and improperly combined business and campaign advertising.

September 2012: Mullin Plumbing Received Federal Stimulus Funds

In September 2012, it was reported that Mullin Plumbing had received approximately $370,000 in federal stimulus funds through the Cherokee and Muscogee Nations.

December 2012: Appointment to House Committees

In December 2012, Mullin was appointed to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, as well as on Natural Resources by the Republican Steering Committee.

2012: Operated Oklahoma Fight Club

By 2012, Markwayne Mullin operated the Oklahoma Fight Club, a jujutsu and mixed martial arts school in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

2012: Elected to the United States House of Representatives

In 2012, Markwayne Mullin was elected to the United States House of Representatives for Oklahoma's second congressional district, defeating Rob Wallace.

January 3, 2013: Sworn into Office

On January 3, 2013, Markwayne Mullin was sworn into office as a U.S. Representative.

January 2013: Named to House Transportation Subcommittees

In January 2013, Mullin was named to the House Transportation Subcommittees on Water Resources and Environment, on Highways and Transit, on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, on Indian and Alaskan Native Affairs, and on Water and Power.

March 2013: Mullin cosponsors legislation to shift control of federally regulated shorelines

In March 2013, Mullin cosponsored legislation that would shift control of federally regulated shorelines from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to states. He also urged Obama to approve the Keystone XL pipeline.

April 2013: FEC Ruled in Mullin's Favor

In April 2013, the FEC ruled in Mullin's favor, determining that his campaign had refunded improper contributions, but reminding it about corporate and excessive contributions.

June 2013: Financial Disclosures

In June 2013, financial disclosures indicated that Mullin might have been the wealthiest member of Oklahoma's congressional delegation, with an estimated net worth between $2.8 and $9 million.

July 2013: Owned Eight Businesses

According to The Oklahoman, by July 2013, Markwayne Mullin owned eight businesses.

September 2013: Mullin opposes United States intervention in Syria

In September 2013, Mullin opposed United States intervention in Syria and voted against authorizing force.

December 2013: Ethics Investigation Recommended

In December 2013, the Office of Congressional Ethics recommended a full investigation to the House Committee on Ethics over allegations that Mullin received outside earned income and had endorsed products and services owned by him or his family.

2013: Elected as U.S. Representative for Oklahoma's Second Congressional District

In 2013, Markwayne Mullin became the U.S. Representative for Oklahoma's second congressional district.

2013: Mullin introduces legislation to streamline the National Environmental Policy Act for wind energy

In 2013, Mullin introduced legislation to streamline the National Environmental Policy Act for wind energy.

2013: Mullin votes against reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act

In 2013, Mullin voted against reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. He also cosponsored the Lumbee Fairness Act, which gave federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.

February 2014: Named to House Natural Resources Subcommittee

In February 2014, Mullin was named to the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

March 2014: Report Alleging Ethics Violations

In March 2014, the House Committee on Ethics released a report alleging that Mullin violated House ethics rules and federal laws by earning over $600,000 from his plumbing companies and by sitting on his plumbing company's board.

April 8, 2014: Announced Reelection Campaign

On April 8, 2014, Markwayne Mullin announced that he would seek reelection.

2014: Reelected to the House of Representatives

In 2014, Markwayne Mullin was reelected as U.S. Representative.

2014: Mullin Criticizes Obama administration's actions regarding unaccompanied migrant children

In 2014, Mullin criticized the housing of unaccompanied migrant children at Fort Sill and condemned the Obama administration's actions at the onset of an immigration crisis.

2014: Mullin supports Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.

In 2014, Mullin supported the Supreme Court decision Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., which gave private corporations religious exemptions from certain regulations.

September 2015: Boehner Resignation and Leadership Discussions

In September 2015, House Speaker John Boehner announced his resignation, leading to discussions over party leadership, with Mullin campaigning to succeed Steve Scalise as House majority whip.

November 2015: Endorsement of Marco Rubio

In November 2015, Mullin endorsed Florida senator Marco Rubio in the 2016 presidential election.

2015: Mullin introduces amendment to allow killing of swallows to hasten construction

In 2015, Mullin introduced an amendment to the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act that would allow the killing of swallows, a protected species in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, to hasten construction.

2015: Mullin seeks to reverse Obama administration regulations on oil and gas

In 2015, Mullin sought to reverse Obama administration regulations on oil and gas.

April 2016: Filed to Run in That Year's Election

In April 2016, Mullin filed to run in that year's election, stating he would not renege on his campaign vow to serve no more than three terms.

May 2016: Mullin criticizes Department of Education's policy on transgender students

In May 2016, Mullin criticized the Department of Education and the Department of Justice's Dear Colleague letter on transgender students, arguing that transgender girls should not use girls' restrooms in public schools.

May 2016: Mullin introduces the Muhammad Ali Expansion Act

In May 2016, Mullin introduced the Muhammad Ali Expansion Act, a bill to expand the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act to include mixed martial arts, which would force promotion companies to share financial information with fighters and establish an independent ranking system.

June 2016: Considering a Fourth Term

In June 2016, Markwayne Mullin did not definitively state whether he would run for a fourth term in Congress.

August 2016: Endorsement of Donald Trump

After Marco Rubio lost to Donald Trump in the Republican primaries, Mullin endorsed Trump in August 2016, citing Trump's business-friendly stance and distrust of Hillary Clinton.

August 2016: Traveled to Jordan

In August 2016, Markwayne Mullin traveled to Jordan for three days.

December 2016: Named Chair of Trump's Native American Coalition

In December 2016, president-elect Donald Trump named Markwayne Mullin the chair of his Native American Coalition.

2016: Inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame

In 2016, Markwayne Mullin was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

2016: Reelected to the House of Representatives

In 2016, Markwayne Mullin was reelected as U.S. Representative.

January 2017: Stock Purchase in Innate Immunotherapeutics

Around January 2017, Mullin bought stock in Innate Immunotherapeutics, a company involved in an insider trading scandal with New York representative Chris Collins.

January 2017: Named to House Energy Subcommittee on Health

In January 2017, Mullin was named to the House Energy Subcommittee on Health.

March 2017: Filing a Declaration of Candidacy

In March 2017, Mullin filed a declaration of candidacy with the FEC after being informed that he must "disavow" further fundraising or notify it that he would be a candidate in the 2018 election.

April 2017: Comments on Taxpayers Paying Salary

In April 2017, Mullin said at a town hall in Jay, Oklahoma, that it was "bullcrap" that taxpayers pay his salary.

2017: Verbal Attack by Rand Paul

In 2017, Kentucky senator Rand Paul verbally attacked Mullin for saying he understood why Paul's neighbor had assaulted him in 2017, suggesting that Mullin had "anger issues".

June 2018: Vocal Backer of Trump

By June 2018, The Oklahoman had called Mullin one of Trump's "most vocal backers", particularly on tariffs.

June 28, 2018: Winning the Republican Primary

On June 28, 2018, Mullin won the Republican primary election.

October 2018: Endorsed by Donald Trump

In October 2018, Donald Trump endorsed Mullin in that year's election.

December 2018: Mullin introduces bill to ensure Indian Health Service funding during government shutdowns

In December 2018, amid a government shutdown, Mullin introduced a bill to ensure that the Indian Health Service would remain funded during shutdowns.

2018: Received Honorary Doctorate

In 2018, Markwayne Mullin received an honorary doctorate from Bacone College.

2018: Reelected to the House of Representatives

In 2018, Markwayne Mullin was reelected as U.S. Representative.

2018: Mullin praises the opening of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem

In 2018, Mullin praised the opening of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem.

2018: Ethics Committee Requests Return of Funds

In 2018, the Ethics Committee called for Mullin to return $40,000 to his family business, Mullin West.

2020: Reelected to the House of Representatives

In 2020, Markwayne Mullin was reelected as U.S. Representative.

2020: Doubts about the Election

In 2020, Mullin echoed Trump's doubts about the ballot counting process in the presidential election and affirmed Trump's efforts to contest the results. He also said he would engage in efforts to overturn the election. Following the January 6 Capitol attack, Mullin witnessed the killing of Ashli Babbitt and stated that the media, Republicans, and Democrats were equally responsible for the attack, refusing to blame Trump.

2020: Re-elected to Congress

In 2020, Mullin was reelected to Congress, winning the Republican primary on July 2 and the general election on November 3.

2020: Mullin urges tribes to negotiate agreement with Oklahoma after McGirt v. Oklahoma ruling

In 2020, after the Supreme Court ruled in McGirt v. Oklahoma that the domain of the Muscogee Nation was Indian country, Mullin urged tribes to negotiate an agreement with Oklahoma over prosecutions.

January 2021: Mullin introduces a bill to prevent transgender women from participating in women's sports

In January 2021, Mullin and Hawaii representative Tulsi Gabbard introduced a bill to prevent transgender women from participating in women's sports.

August 2021: Attempted Trip to Kabul

In August 2021, The Washington Post reported that Mullin traveled to Greece and requested authorization from the United States Department of Defense to enter Kabul as the Taliban mounted an offensive on Afghanistan, but the request was rejected. As U.S. forces completed their withdrawal, Mullin sought assistance to move cash into Tajikistan to rescue an Afghan woman and her four children by helicopter, leading to a dispute with U.S. embassy officials.

December 2021: Campaign Finance Report

By December 2021, Mullin's campaign finance reports indicated that he had nearly $1 million in his account.

December 2021: Sold Businesses to CenterOak Partners

In December 2021, Markwayne Mullin sold his businesses to CenterOak Partners, while his family continued to operate the plumbing business.

2021: Rescue Effort in Afghanistan

In 2021, Mullin wrote in a fundraising letter that the Biden administration "tried to kill" him in his effort to rescue Afghans.

2021: Sale of Businesses

In 2021, the sale of Mullin's businesses was not publicly disclosed; according to the private market service PitchBook, Mullin moved between $25 million and $50 million into a cash management account the day he sold his companies.

February 2022: Ran in Special Election to Succeed Jim Inhofe

In February 2022, after Oklahoma senator Jim Inhofe announced his resignation, Markwayne Mullin ran in the special election to succeed him and won.

February 26, 2022: Announcing Senate Candidacy

On February 26, 2022, after Jim Inhofe announced his resignation, Mullin announced on Twitter that he would run for Inhofe's seat in the Senate.

March 2022: Proposed Expunging Trump's Impeachment

In March 2022, Mullin proposed expunging Trump's first impeachment, arguing that it did not meet the standard of high crimes and misdemeanors.

July 2022: Mullin criticizes Biden administration's immigration policies in letter

In July 2022, Mullin sent a letter to secretary of homeland security Alejandro Mayorkas and acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Tae Johnson criticizing the Biden administration's "policies of amnesty, catch and release, and low security".

August 2022: Mullin supports a federal ban on abortion

In August 2022, Mullin stated during a televised debate that he supported a federal ban on abortion without exceptions.

August 2022: Criticism Over PPP Loans Forgiveness

In August 2022, the White House criticized Markwayne Mullin for having $1.4 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans forgiven.

2022: Mullin praises Supreme Court ruling in West Virginia v. EPA

In 2022, Mullin objected to the EPA's Clean Water Rule and praised the Supreme Court's ruling in West Virginia v. EPA limiting the Clean Air Act.

January 3, 2023: Sworn into Office

On January 3, 2023, Mullin was sworn into office as a United States Senator. He became the first tribal citizen to serve in the Senate since 2005 and the second member of the Cherokee Nation to serve in the Senate after 1925, and the only senator in the 118th Congress without a bachelor's degree.

February 2023: Named to Senate Committees

In February 2023, Mullin was named to the Senate Committees on Armed Services, on Environment and Public Works, and on Indian Affairs. He was also assigned to the Armed Services Subcommittees on Airland, on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, and on Readiness and Management Support.

March 2023: Sparring with Teamsters President

In March 2023, Mullin publicly sparred with Teamsters president Sean O'Brien in a Senate hearing, telling him to shut his mouth. In a second hearing in November, Mullin threatened to fight O'Brien, nearly leading to a brawl.

2023: Elected as U.S. Senator from Oklahoma

In 2023, Markwayne Mullin served as the junior United States Senator from Oklahoma.

2023: Mullin criticizes the EPA for promoting electric vehicles

In 2023, Mullin criticized the EPA for promoting electric vehicles.

2023: Failure to Disclose Stock Purchases

In 2023, the Campaign Legal Center filed a complaint alleging that Mullin had not disclosed nine stock purchases in 2023. Mullin reported the purchases nearly a year later.

June 2024: Portfolio Management

In June 2024, a spokesperson for Mullin told The New Yorker that his portfolio was managed by an "independent third party".

2024: Mullin blocks promotion of General Chris Donahue

In 2024, Mullin blocked the promotion of Chris Donahue, a United States Army general who commanded the U.S. troop withdrawal operation from Afghanistan. He lifted the hold a week later.

2024: Estimated Net Worth

In 2024, Mullin's assets were estimated between $29 and $97 million.

2024: Complaint Filed With Senate Ethics Committee

In 2024, the Campaign Legal Center filed a complaint with the Senate Select Committee on Ethics alleging that Mullin had not disclosed nine stock purchases in 2023.

June 2025: Mullin Praises U.S. Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Sites

In June 2025, Mullin praised U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites as ending a "forever war" and strikes on alleged drug traffickers as "proactive", dismissing concerns that a followup strike in one operation might have been a war crime.

November 2025: Mullin comments on Afghan refugees after West Virginia National Guardsmen shooting

In November 2025, after the shooting of two West Virginia National Guardsmen, Mullin said that Afghan refugees had been "dumped" into the U.S. on Special Immigrant Visas without sufficient federal programs to assist them.

December 2025: Investment in Multiple Companies

In December 2025, Mullin invested in over 30 companies in a transaction worth as much as $2.8 million. The purchases included shares in Chevron, whose stock price abruptly rose after the U.S. intervened to capture Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro five days later.

2025: Mullin Praises U.S. federal deferred resignation program

In 2025, Mullin praised the U.S. federal deferred resignation program.

March 5, 2026: Nominated for Secretary of Homeland Security

On March 5, 2026, President Donald Trump fired Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and nominated Mullin to succeed her. His nomination occurred amid a shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security.

March 2026: Business Ownership

According to Forbes, Mullin partially or fully owned 30 businesses by March 2026.

March 2026: Nominated and Confirmed as Secretary of Homeland Security

In March 2026, President Donald Trump nominated Markwayne Mullin to succeed Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security, and Mullin was subsequently confirmed by the Senate and sworn in.

March 2026: Working on Proposal to End Shutdown

In March 2026, The New York Times reported that Mullin had been working with New Jersey representative Josh Gottheimer on a proposal to end a shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security.

March 2026: Involvement in Private Security Work Allegations

In March 2026, it was reported that Markwayne Mullin had privately suggested to colleagues that he was involved in private security work for the U.S. government in the Middle East.

March 24, 2026: Sworn in as Secretary of Homeland Security

On March 24, 2026, Mullin was sworn in as secretary of homeland security by Attorney General Pam Bondi. He became the first member of the Cherokee Nation to serve in the Cabinet of the United States.