DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s Marriage PDA Goes Viral as Critics Question His Leadership Credentials

Markwayne Mullin was sworn in as Secretary of Homeland Security on March 24, 2026, after Donald Trump removed Kristi Noem from the role. While there’s still time to assess Mullin’s professional decisions, his relationship with his wife, Christie has drawn attention in the past. Their marriage looks appears ideal on paper but it also exhibited some aspects that drew criticism.

Reports from Nicki Swift suggest, Mullin and Christie’s a moment of PDA last year in a subway came across as downright awkward. The duo was reportedly on their way to the U.S. Capitol to vote for or against Linda McMahon, who would later become the Education Secretary.

Mullin, who was then a U.S. senator from Oklahoma, was spotted kissing his wife while sitting in one of the cars. While the PDA was not the issue, a subway is an unusual setting for such a moment in general to bring a couple close, especially when the cameras are around. The moment looked less endearing and more performative.

In June 2025, the DHS Secretary shared a Facebook video celebrating 28 years of marriage with his wife. However, instead of focusing on their bond, he spoke about his role in the marriage.

Mullin wrote, “It's a pretty special week for this lady cause on Saturday she gets to celebrate ... she's been married to me for 28 years. I mean, 28 blissful years for her, right, babe?"

After his wife agreed to the caption, Markwayne Mullin continued, “Wouldn't you say that our marriage is better today than it was even 25 years ago?" Not only this, but his confession of love for Christie during his swearing-in ceremony also sounded a little out of place.

According to Koko News, Mullin almost got emotional when he said, “I knew I was going to marry her in eighth grade. But at 18, and I was 19, she agreed to marry me, I didn't have anything. I was on a wrestling scholarship living in a dorm. Regardless of what is in front of us, we always take it on as a family. I'm not scared of a challenge. I am scared of failure."

Some social media users questioned how his high school love story with Christie made him eligible for the role of the DHS Secretary. One of the X users stated, “What has this got to do with leading the DHS?”

Another social media user added, “And this makes him competent to run the Department of Homeland Secretary how?” while another asked, “What has this got to do with the job application?”

Apart from this, Mullin also said he had been aggressive with his wife’s ex-boyfriends and also refused to leave when she asked him to. Social media users were quick to spot the red flags in Markwayne Mullin early in their relationship with this controversial statement.

A social media user wrote, “So he is a bully, this is nauseating.” Another X user added, “Sounds like Trump’s perfect understudy, stupid and violent.” A user on X said, “Sounds like an abusive sociopath. Basically forced himself into her life.”