The View co-host Joy Behar lashed out Thursday at Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman for siding with Republicans to advance Department of Homeland Security (DHS) nominee Markwayne Mullin out of committee.
According to the Daily Caller, Fetterman joined Republicans in an 8-7 vote in the Senate Homeland Security Committee to move Mullins nomination forward, while Republican Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul opposed the nominee. Behar framed Fettermans vote as a betrayal of party loyalty and progressive orthodoxy, underscoring the growing rift between the Democratic base and some of its more populist members.
Thanks to Fetterman, who was the deciding vote Since Kristi Noem was in that position before, the bar is so low that if [Mullin] doesnt kill a dog, were already ahead of the game, Behar said. But I think hes terrible and as I said before, Fetterman was the deciding vote to say yes to this guy. With Democrats like that, who needs Republicans? Her remarks, dripping with contempt for both Mullin and Fetterman, highlighted how daytime television pundits often demand rigid ideological conformity rather than serious debate over national security leadership.
Fetterman, for his part, argued that DHS cannot remain leaderless after a 34-day partial shutdown and signaled weeks ago that he would back Mullin. He had already indicated his support during a March 13 interview on WABC 770 AM, suggesting his vote was neither impulsive nor hidden from his constituents.
In January, I called on the president to fire Noemand he did. I truly approached the confirmation of my colleague and friend, Senator Mullin, with an open-mind, Fetterman wrote on X. We need a leader at DHS. We must reopen DHS. My AYE is rooted in a strong committed, constructive working relationship with Senator Mullin for our nations security. His explanation emphasized institutional stability and bipartisan cooperation, themes often dismissed by the left but valued by conservatives who prioritize functioning government over partisan theatrics.
Mullins committee hearing and vote were the most expedited in DHS history, with Paul insisting on a swift process to move the nominee forward. Yet Paul also sharply criticized Mullin for previously saying he understood why Pauls neighbor violently attacked him in 2017, an assault that left the Kentucky senator with six broken ribs.
The nomination now heads to the full Senate, where a floor vote could come as early as next week. That vote will test whether more Democrats are willing to break with the activist left and support a DHS chief chosen by a Republican president in the interest of national security.
Fetterman has already shown a pattern of crossing party lines on key confirmations, having been the only Democrat to join Republicans in advancing Secretary of War Pete Hegseths nomination before opposing him on final passage. He also voted to confirm Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Attorney General Pam Bondi, signaling a pragmatic streak that contrasts sharply with the ideological purity tests favored by liberal media figures like Behar.
President Donald Trump nominated Mullin on March 5 to replace Kristi Noem as DHS secretary after reportedly becoming dissatisfied with her performance in two congressional hearings. As the Senate prepares for a final vote, the clash between Behars outrage and Fettermans willingness to work with a Republican administration underscores a broader question: whether Democrats will prioritize border security and stable leadership at DHS, or continue to bow to the demands of their most strident progressive voices.
Login