Some Democratic lawmakers are calling for the ouster of Sen. John Fetterman over his vote to advance Markwayne Mullin's nomination to become the next Department of Homeland Security secretary.
"Once again Sen Fetterman shows why he is Trump's favorite Democrat. He needs to go," said Rep. Brendan Boyle, who also represents Pennsylvania. Axios detailed that he is rumored as a potential primary challenger of Fetterman, and while he has criticized him in the past, it is the first time he calls for his removal.
Axios noted tha tRep. Chrissy Houlahan, also representing Pennsylvania, had urged her constituents to call Fetterman's office and ask him to oppose the nomination. She reacted to the development at a town hall on Thursday, saying he has "more success" working with the other side of the aisle.
Fetterman was the lone Democrat to support the nomination, which made it through the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee by an 8-7 vote. Republican Sen. Rand Paul, who had a testy exchange with Mullin on Wednesday, voted against it.
Fetterman justified his vote by saying that in January, he called on President Donald Trump to fire Noem and he did. "I truly approached the confirmation of my colleague and friend, Senator Mullin, with an open-mind. We need a leader at DHS. We must reopen DHS," he added in a social media publication, adding that the decision was "rooted in a strong committed, constructive working relationship with Senator Mullin for our nation's security."
The Democrats' ranking member in the committee, Gary Peters, had said Mullin doesn't have the temperament to lead the agency.
"At his confirmation hearing yesterday, we saw that, unfortunately, Senator Mullin is not up to that challenge. When I heard President Trump would be nominating Senator Mullin, I kept an open mind. However, throughout the nomination process, he has failed to be forthright and transparent. Senator Mullin also showed that he doesn't have the experience or the temperament to lead this critical department," he said.
"There will be no shortage of political disagreements facing the next DHS Secretary the department and the American people deserve a leader who is steady and proven under pressure, not just someone better than the very low bar set by his predecessor," Peters added.
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