Stephen Colbert criticized Sen. Markwayne Mullin during his monologue on "The Late Show," focusing on the Oklahoma Republican's temperament following a contentious Senate confirmation hearing to lead the Department of Homeland Security.
Colbert pointed to Mullin's own remarks during the hearing, where the nominee said, "I'm not going to be the smartest guy in any room I walk into," and argued that the senator has "a history of being real dumb and real angry about it." The comments came as Mullin faced sharp questioning from lawmakers over his past statements and conduct.
During the aforementioned hearing, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who chairs the Senate Homeland Security Committee, confronted Mullin over previous remarks in which Mullin said he "understood" why Paul was assaulted by a neighbor in 2017.
"Tell me to my face why you think I deserved it," Paul said, also asking why Americans "should trust a man with anger issues to set the proper example for ICE and border patrol agents." Mullin pushed back saying, "I did not say I supported it. I said I understood it," in reference to his comments about Paul.
Colbert referenced that exchange directly, calling Paul's line of questioning "a valid question," before adding a joke that such traits might align with enforcement culture. "Anger issues are the top requirement for ICE and border patrol agents," he said, "right above not being the smartest person in any room you walk into."
The hearing highlighted broader concerns among some lawmakers about Mullin's temperament and judgment, as NBC News points out. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), the top Democrat on the committee, said Mullin had "failed to be forthright and transparent" and questioned whether he had the experience required to lead the agency. Other senators pressed Mullin on a previously undisclosed overseas trip he described as "classified," though details remained limited.
Colbert's remarks come as "The Late Show" enters its final months on air, with CBS set to end the long-running program in May. The network's decision to cancel the long-running show came days after Colbert's July 14, 2025, episode, in which he criticized Paramount, the network's parent company, for its $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump earlier that month.
The network said at the time that the decision was "purely financial" and "was "not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount."
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