The Josh Marshall Podcast Markwayne's Rodeo
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Mar 18, 2026 They dig into a controversial DHS nominee, his aggressive rhetoric, and a pattern of exaggerated military claims. The conversation shifts to GOP reactions to the Iran conflict and a high-profile defection framed as politicized. They also analyze whether rising gas prices and market moves will dent Trump’s standing and unpack mixed results from recent Illinois and Virginia primaries.
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Mullen Nomination Is A Political Gimmie With Chaotic Rollout
- Markwayne Mullen's nomination to DHS is largely procedural but politically notable because presidents often pick senators as 'gimmies' for easy confirmations.
- Josh Marshall notes the nomination was first announced informally on Truth Social and initially described as an 'installation' not a formal nomination, underscoring chaotic rollout.
Hearing Exposes Mullen's Credibility And Violent Boasts
- Mullen's confirmation hearing revealed character and credibility issues including violent boasts and misleading claims about military experience.
- Kate Riga highlighted his attempts to sound like a veteran and his classified-training claim when pressed about 'smelling war'.
False Claims And ICE Ambiguity Raise Civil Liberties Concerns
- Mullen apologized for false statements about Alex Priddy and refused to commit to not sending ICE to polling places, signaling concerning positions on civil liberties.
- Kate noted his public pattern of exaggeration, from military service to MMA claims, creating a credibility problem for DHS leadership.