Mullin responds to Paul: “I’ll say it directly to your face”

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) directly responded to sharp criticism from Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), the Homeland Security Committee chair, before delivering his opening statement at his confirmation hearing to succeed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Wednesday.

“I have to address the remarks that the chairman made, calling me a liar. Sir, I think everybody in this room knows that I’m very blunt and direct to the point, and if I have something to say, I’ll say it directly to your face,” Sen. Mullin said.

Sen. Paul had slammed Sen. Mullin in his opening statement, accusing him of sympathizing with the man who attacked the Kentucky Republican in 2017 and for calling him a “snake.”

“Tell it to my face, tell the world why you believe I deserved to be assaulted from behind, have six ribs broken and a damaged lung,” Sen. Paul said. “While you’re at it, explain to the American public why they should trust a man with anger issues.”

Sen. Mullin said he was a straight shooter and that he had directly addressed the issue with Sen. Paul.

“I said I could understand, because of the behavior you were having, that I can understand why your neighbor did what he did. As far as my terms ‘snake in the grass,’ sir, I work around this room to try to fix problems. I’ve worked with many people in this room. Seems like you fight Republicans more than you work with us,” he said.

“And as far as me saying that I invoke violence, I don’t. I don’t think anybody should be hit by surprise. I don’t like that. But if I do have something to say, everybody in this room knows, I’ll come straight to you. I’ll say it publicly and I’ll say it privately, but I’ll never say it behind your back. So, for you to say that I’m a liar, sir, that’s not accurate.”