Mullin confirmed to lead DHS as shutdown drags on and 100,000 employees remain unpaid

"Mullin will inherit a department that is currently shut down after its funding lapsed last month, though more than 90% of its employees are still working."

"Mullin said during his confirmation hearing he would seek to rebuild staffing areas that previously implemented cuts, though he lamented that the shutdown is exacerbating staffing losses."

"I'm not a micro manager. We put people in, we empower them to make decisions."

"Mullin vowed not to stand in the way of the IG's work and said he would not seek retribution against employees who have publicly criticized."

Markwayne Mullin was confirmed as the new Secretary of Homeland Security with a 54-45 Senate vote. He will replace Kristi Noem, who faced criticism for her management of immigration policies. The department is currently shut down due to funding issues, affecting over 100,000 employees. Mullin plans to rebuild staffing and restructure FEMA, while also ending a policy that hindered funding decisions. He emphasized empowering staff and supporting the inspector general's investigations without retaliation against employees.

Read at Nextgov.com