Senator Confirmation Hearing

Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) appeared before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday for his confirmation hearing as the prospective head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). During the session, Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) asked Mullin to share a personal story involving his son, aiming to highlight his leadership qualities such as integrity, commitment to national security, and loyalty to President Trump.

Mullin recounted his son’s severe brain injury on January 17, 2020, describing him as a “true world-class athlete.” He spoke about the severity of the situation, mentioning how they “almost lost him.” Mullin recalled that his son’s pulse was alarmingly low for 26 hours and that there was a moment when doctors thought he had completely lost it, but upon waking, he was profoundly changed.

Continuing his story, Mullin detailed the challenges his son faced during recovery, stating that at one point he “couldn’t touch his nose,” “couldn’t walk without limping,” and experienced short-term memory loss. He pointed out that his son, who was in high school then, couldn’t even solve simple math problems like adding five and three.

After learning about the injury, President Trump reached out to Mullin. “As soon as the president found out, he called me,” Mullin shared, revealing that Trump checked in nearly every day for two weeks to inquire about his son’s condition.

Mullin testified that they sought treatment at the Neuroskills Center in Bakersfield, California, which he described as one of the best neurorehabilitation facilities worldwide. Although Trump offered to send his private plane for transportation, Mullin declined, explaining that they preferred to drive.

Moreover, Trump later visited Mullin’s son during the 2020 campaign. “We’re in the middle of an election,” Mullin noted, “This is Bakersville, California, not really a campaign spot.” He appreciated that Trump took the time to visit his son during such a busy period.

During the visit, Mullin observed that Trump spent significant time with his son. When his staff asked him to leave, Trump reportedly said, “Hey, I guarantee you that plane isn’t going to leave without me,” showcasing his dedication and care.

Mullin associated the president’s visit with his son’s recovery, stating, “That event sparked his memory,” leading to a positive shift in his son’s attitude towards recovery. “He started remembering things,” Mullin noted, emphasizing his son’s newfound determination.

He also mentioned that Trump regularly follows up, saying, “Most if not every day, the president calls and asks how he can help,” but he was quick to clarify that they did not seek publicity for their situation.

Mullin recalled a later trip to Mar-a-Lago where Trump spoke directly to his son, saying, “Do you know why I love your father? … Because he loves you.” This, according to Mullin, further exemplified the genuine care that the president showed.

To conclude, Mullin expressed that Trump’s actions were driven by genuine concern, saying, “He didn’t do it for any other reason,” and reflecting on their friendship that had developed since then.