THIS JUST F***ING HAPPENED... IT'S INSANE!
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Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Mark Wayne Mullen, Trump's pick for DHS Secretary, arrived late to his own confirmation hearing.
- ❖Senator Rand Paul used his opening statement to confront Mullen about past comments justifying a violent assault on Paul by his neighbor, where Paul suffered broken ribs and a damaged lung.
- ❖Mullen stated he 'understood' why Paul was assaulted and initially refused to apologize, claiming he said it 'to your face.'
- ❖Mullen defended dueling as a legitimate way for 'two consenting adults' to resolve differences, citing historical precedents like Hamilton's duel.
- ❖He brought Shawn O'Brien, a Teamsters president he previously almost fought, to the hearing to show they are now friends.
- ❖Mullen misspoke several times, including referring to '2021st' and stating he's 'never going to be the smartest guy in any room,' even when alone.
- ❖Mullen expressed regret for previously smearing Alex Patty, an individual killed by DHS officers, admitting he 'responded immediately without the facts.'
- ❖The host concludes Mullen lacks the temperament and leadership skills for the DHS role, calling his potential appointment akin to 'changing your shirt when you poop your pants.'
Insights
1Justification of Violence Against a Fellow Senator
During his confirmation hearing, Mark Wayne Mullen was directly confronted by Senator Rand Paul regarding Mullen's past public statements. Mullen had previously called Paul a 'freaking snake' and stated he 'completely understood' why Paul's neighbor brutally assaulted him, causing severe injuries. Mullen initially stood by these remarks, claiming he had said them to Paul's face, and offered no apology or regret, framing it as a 'difference of opinion' on Paul's character.
Mullen's quote: 'Rand Paul's a freaking snake.' 'I understand completely why his neighbor did what he did and I told him that to his face.' () Paul's statement: 'You told the media that I was a freaking snake and that you completely understood why I had been assaulted.' () Mullen's response: 'I'm not apologizing for pointing out your character.' ()
2Defense of Dueling and Physical Confrontation
Mullen's history of advocating for physical resolution of disputes was a significant point of contention. He was questioned about past interviews where he justified violence by citing historical precedents like caning and dueling. Mullen asserted that 'dueling with two consenting adults is still there' as an option, despite it being illegal for centuries. He also brought Shawn O'Brien, a Teamsters president he nearly brawled with in a previous Senate meeting, to the hearing as a sign of reconciliation, yet still maintained that 'sometimes people just need to be punched in the face.'
Paul's question: 'Is it today your opinion that the caning of Charles Sumner was not only justified but argues still for resolving our political differences with violence?' Mullen's response: 'What I was simply pointing out is some of the rules that still apply to this body. Uh for instance, uh dueling with two consenting adults is still there.' () Paul's quote of Mullen: 'Sometimes people just need to be punched in the face.' ()
3Misstatements and Lack of Self-Awareness During Hearing
Mullen demonstrated a pattern of misstatements and awkward self-deprecating remarks. He arrived late to his own confirmation hearing. When asked about international travel beyond vacations, he initially said 'no,' but was then confronted with an FBI report detailing travel to Georgia and Azerbaijan for official duties, which he then attributed to evacuating Americans from Afghanistan. He repeatedly used the phrase '2021st' instead of '2021.' Furthermore, he described his leadership style by stating, 'I'm not going to be the smartest guy in any room I walk into,' a sentiment the host mocked as a profound lack of self-awareness for a potential agency head.
Late arrival to hearing (). Travel misstatement: 'You've never traveled to a foreign country outside of vacation or mission work? No.' () 'Your FBI report does show some travel? I think it was to Georgia and Azer Bjan.' () 'Are you referring to August of 2021 when we went to go get the Americans out of Afghanistan?' () '2021st' (). 'I'm not going to be the smartest guy in any room I walk into.' ()
4Regret Over Smearing Deceased Individuals
In a rare moment of concession, Mullen expressed regret for previously smearing Alex Patty, an American citizen killed by DHS officers. He admitted to publicly blaming and disparaging the victim without having all the facts, stating, 'Those words probably should have been retracted. I shouldn't have said that... I went out there too fast. I was responding immediately without the facts. That's my fault. That won't happen as secretary.' The host, while acknowledging the apology, still found it disqualifying given the severity of the initial action.
Paul's question: 'You sir, you called Alex Prey quote a deranged individual that came in to cause max damage. Could we expect those kinds of quick responses?' Mullen's response: 'Those words probably should have been retracted. I shouldn't have said that and secretary I wouldn't. The investigation is ongoing... I went out there too fast. I was responding immediately without the facts. That's my fault. That won't happen as secretary.' ()
Lessons
- Scrutinize the temperament and past statements of political nominees, especially those for high-stakes national security positions, beyond their policy positions.
- Recognize that a candidate's 'relatability' or 'macho' persona can mask a lack of qualifications or judgment, and evaluate their capacity for nuanced leadership.
- Demand accountability from public officials who make premature or disparaging statements about individuals, particularly victims of state force, and assess whether their apologies are sufficient for their roles.
Notable Moments
Mark Wayne Mullen arrives late to his own DHS Secretary confirmation hearing, prompting Senator Rand Paul to sarcastically note, 'This is his time, not ours.'
A late arrival to a critical confirmation hearing for a cabinet-level position signals a lack of respect for the process, the committee, and the gravity of the role, immediately setting a negative tone.
Mullen brings Shawn O'Brien, the Teamsters president he almost physically fought in a previous Senate meeting, to his confirmation hearing, presenting him as a 'good friend' and a sign of reconciliation.
This moment attempts to demonstrate Mullen's ability to resolve conflict, but it also highlights his history of near-physical altercations in official settings, raising questions about his judgment and temperament for a role overseeing law enforcement.
Mullen states, 'I'm not going to be the smartest guy in any room I walk into,' which the host interprets as a profound lack of self-awareness, even joking, 'When I'm alone in my bathroom, I'm still not the smartest guy.'
While humility can be a virtue, a leader of a major national security agency needs to project competence and intellectual capacity. This statement, as framed by the host, suggests a concerning lack of confidence or understanding of the intellectual demands of the role.
Quotes
"Rand Paul's a freaking snake. And I understand completely why his neighbor did what he did and I told him that to his face."
"You told the media that I was a freaking snake and that you completely understood why I had been assaulted."
"Sometimes people just need to be punched in the face."
"Those words probably should have been retracted. I shouldn't have said that... I went out there too fast. I was responding immediately without the facts. That's my fault. That won't happen as secretary."
"Replacing Gnome with Mullen is like changing your shirt when you poop your pants."
"I'm not going to be the smartest guy in any room I walk into."
Q&A
Recent Questions
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