THIS JUST F***ING HAPPENED... IT'S INSANE!

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.' (01:29) Paul's statement: 'You told the media that I was a freaking snake and that you completely understood why I had been assaulted.' (03:31) Mullen's response: 'I'm not apologizing for pointing out your character.' (12:22)

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.' (14:06) Paul's quote of Mullen: 'Sometimes people just need to be punched in the face.' (18:06)

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 (01:48). Travel misstatement: 'You've never traveled to a foreign country outside of vacation or mission work? No.' (19:43) 'Your FBI report does show some travel? I think it was to Georgia and Azer Bjan.' (19:53) 'Are you referring to August of 2021 when we went to go get the Americans out of Afghanistan?' (20:09) '2021st' (20:24). 'I'm not going to be the smartest guy in any room I walk into.' (24:23)

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.' (28:06)