Markwayne Mullin told the Ruthless Podcast that the relentless pace of managing DHS — and President Trump’s nonstop schedule — explains why he considers himself "the sixth person" to lead the department during Trump’s six years in office. Mullin said he hasn’t slept through the night in six months since taking the post in March and praised the president’s tireless tempo. He listed several predecessors who served as secretary or acting secretary and said he enjoys the fast pace despite the challenges.
Mullin Says He’s Been the ‘Sixth’ DHS Leader in Six Years — Blames Relentless Pace, Praises Trump’s Tempo
Mullin Sounds Off on Why He’s the ‘Sixth Person’ in Six Years To Lead Trump’s DHS
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told the Ruthless Podcast that the intense demands of running the Department of Homeland Security — and President Donald Trump’s nonstop schedule — help explain why, in his view, he is "the sixth person" to head DHS during Trump's six years in office.
Mullin, a former Republican senator from Oklahoma, said he assumed the role in March. He framed his count of DHS leaders as an observation about turnover during the Trump years and noted several predecessors who served as secretary or acting secretary, including John Kelly, Elaine Duke, Kirstjen Nielsen, Kevin McAleenan, Chad Wolf and Pete Gaynor, among others.
"I'm not joking when I say this," Mullin prefaced. "I haven't slept through the night in six months. I've been in the job for six months. There hasn't been a single night that I haven't gotten woken up."
He went on to praise the president's work ethic: "You also have a commander in chief who doesn't sleep. I mean, he goes all the time. It's amazing." Mullin said he finds comments that Mr. Trump looks tired to be misleading, quipping that reporters who make that claim are not spending time in the same room with the president.
On the podcast, a host mimicked the response of such reporters — "I'm tired!" — prompting laughter. Mullin agreed and expanded:
"I've got a guy that is, you know, considerably older than me, but acts way younger, and just doesn't stop. The pace is so surprising. It just — there's a reason why I'm the sixth person in this position in six years of President Trump's presidency. It just moves. It moves hard. It moves fast. But I love it. I'm telling you, like, zero complaints."
Mullin characterized the turnover and sleepless nights as part of the realities of overseeing Homeland Security under a president he says operates at an exceptionally high tempo. His remarks reflect his personal experience and perspective shared on the podcast.
Note on reporting: This article reports Mullin's statements as given on the podcast. Some names and timelines referenced by Mullin or in earlier versions of this story may differ from official records; where possible this piece frames those items as his claims rather than independently verified fact.
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