In a recent episode of his late-night show, Jimmy Kimmel found himself at the center of controversy following remarks that were perceived as belittling America’s working class. The comedian took aim at Markwayne Mullin, the newly appointed Secretary of Homeland Security, by calling him an “unqualified plumber.”
Mullin, who was chosen by President Donald Trump to succeed Kristi Noem after her removal from the post, officially took on the role as the nation’s ninth DHS chief. His appointment was confirmed by the Senate with a 54-45 vote.
During his monologue on Tuesday evening, Kimmel touched upon Mullin’s nomination, referring to him as both a “low-level MMA fighter” and a “plumber,” who is now tasked with safeguarding the country against terrorism.
The late-night host quipped, “Trump’s got a whole new generation of thinkers lined up, including his newly confirmed Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne ‘Chuck Mike Bruce Dave’ Melon – Mullin.”
Kimmel continued, “He’s the now former senator of Oklahoma. Before he was elected to the Senate, Markwayne Mullin was a low-level MMA fighter and a plumber.”
He added, “That’s right. We have a plumber protecting us from terrorism now. It worked for Super Mario. Why not Markwayne?”
Before entering politics, Mullin had a brief career as a mixed martial arts fighter, retiring in 2012 with an undefeated 5-0 record.
He gained a reputation as a firebrand, earning induction into the Oklahoma Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016 and even challenging the Teamsters president to a brawl during a 2023 Senate hearing.
Jimmy Kimmel was slammed for mocking America’s working class after calling new DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin an ‘unqualified plumber’
Mullin, Trump’s pick to replace ousted Secretary Kristi Noem, was sworn in as the nation’s ninth DHS chief on Tuesday
The Senate confirmed Mullin’s new position on Monday night following a 54-45 vote
As for plumbing, Mullin and his college bride took over Mullin Plumbing – his family business – after he delayed his studies due to his father’s illness, according to his biography.
Together with his wife, he spent the past 25 years growing the business into the region’s largest service company.
Undeterred, Kimmel only doubled down on his joke, branding the new face of DHS unfit for the role.
‘But honestly – I mean, if Trump is going to keep picking these unqualified people to run the department, why not have more fun with it?’ he said during the monologue.
‘I mean, next time instead of Markwayne, how about Lil Wayne for Homeland Security?’ he added. ‘At least we can get a concert out of it, right?’
His joke, however, appeared to fall flat with some in the political sphere, as posts condemning the comedian flooded X shortly after the segment aired.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz wrote: ‘I prefer plumbers to woke & unfunny comedians.’
Wyoming Republican Senator Cynthia Lummis responded sharply, writing: ‘The disdain for which the Democrats and Hollywood elites have for working-class Americans – and folks who step up to do important jobs for their country – is shameful. These people need help.’
Mullin had a brief career as a mixed martial arts fighter before retiring in 2012 with an undefeated 5-0 record
Mullin and his college bride (pictured now as wife, Christie Mullin) took over Mullin Plumbing – his family business – after he delayed his studies due to his father’s illness
During Tuesday’s monologue, Kimmel said: ‘I mean, next time instead of Markwayne, how about Lil Wayne for Homeland Security?’
In response to Kimmel’s comments, Sen. Ted Cruz (pictured) wrote: ‘I prefer plumbers to woke & unfunny comedians’
Representative Mike Collins did not take Kimmel’s comments lightly, criticizing the comedian in a lengthy post and accusing him of attempting to ‘demean’ men by calling Mullin a plumber.
‘The elites too often look down their noses at the blue collar, middle America,’ Collins wrote.
‘As if plumbing is something to be ashamed of or is somehow a lesser profession than a court jester turning tricks on late night commentary (comedy is dead),’ he added.
Collins said that calling a senator a plumber ‘doesn’t do him justice,’ noting that Mullin built a successful business in a competitive industry that provides jobs and food on the table for many families.
‘Plumbers, truckers, builders, tradesmen, etc built this country and continue to be a vital part of our economy’s backbone,’ the representative continued.
‘It’s not just jobs,’ he added. ‘It’s a spirit of actually using the sweat of your brow, determination and yes, intellect, to add in a productive way to America – a land of pioneers.’
‘Western civilization can’t survive without the men and women who provide blue collar services. Late night political commentary masquerading as comedy would never be missed.’
DHS even responded to the clip in a statement to Fox News Digital, saying: ‘DHS is too busy arresting gang members, terrorists, pedophiles, rapists, murderers, and other criminal illegal aliens to engage in this kind of silliness.’
Mullin challenged the Teamsters president to a brawl during a 2023 Senate hearing (pictured)
Representative Mike Collins (pictured) accused Kimmel of attempting to ‘demean’ men by calling Mullin a plumber
Ex-DHS Secretary Noem was spectacularly fired by Trump earlier this month
Ex-DHS Secretary Noem was spectacularly fired by Trump earlier this month after much scrutiny over her alleged affair with top staffer Corey Lewandowski, which both have denied, and other scandals.
The ‘last straw’ came when Noem told Senator John Kennedy under oath that she’d been given Trump’s approval for a $220million taxpayer-funded campaign designed to boost her national profile.
Trump announced her exit on Truth Social moments before stating that little-known Senator Mullin of Oklahoma would be nominated to become the next DHS Secretary.
On Monday, Mullin cleared the simple majority needed to be confirmed to his post.
Democrats John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico crossed party lines and sided with the majority of Republicans to approve the nomination.
During his swearing-in ceremony in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump began reading Mullin’s bio before stumbling across a surprise: Mullin is Native American.
‘But as the only Native American… I didn’t know that,’ Trump said before glancing at Mullin.
‘I can tell you, he’s the only Native American in the Senate. How many have been there before you, do you know?’ the president asked, to which Mullin responded, ‘I think three.’
During his swearing-in ceremony, Trump was visibly surprised to find out that Mullin is Native American
Mullin with the leaders of the Cherokee Nation in 2019
Mullin seemed taken aback that Trump was unaware of his background, as the pair have appeared together at several events
Mullin inherits a DHS facing widespread criticism, including long airport lines and the deployment of ICE agents on Monday to assist with operations (pictured at LaGuardia)
‘I didn’t know all these things. I would have picked him faster. If I had known, I would have made a quicker decision,’ Trump replied.
Mullin seemed taken aback that Trump was unaware of much of his background, even though the two have appeared together at countless political and sporting events, often with his family.
He is a member of the Cherokee Nation, and has supported multiple legislative efforts to help Native Americans while in Congress.
‘I’m Cherokee, and I never knew I was special for being Cherokee until I came to DC, because where I’m from, everybody is Indian or wants to be,’ Mullin said in a 2025 press release.
Shortly after being sworn in by Attorney General Pam Bondi, he said that he would work with both Republican and Democratic states to ‘protect everybody the same.’
Taking charge of DHS, Mullin inherits a department under fire, with travelers nationwide facing long lines due to unpaid TSA staff, and ICE agents deployed to multiple airports on Monday to help manage the crisis.
Meanwhile, senators still remain deadlocked on a funding deal for the agency, which requires support from both Democrats and Republicans.
There was hope Monday evening that a deal had been struck, as Senator Katie Britt told reporters after returning from the White House that an agreement with Trump had been reached.
