Rand Paul Opposes Markwayne Mullin’s DHS Bid After Heated Senate Clash

By: Shawn
‎Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chair Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has made it clear he will not support Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) in his bid to lead the Department of Homeland Security.
‎
‎Rand Paul declines to support Markwayne Mullin’s DHS nomination following a tense hearing, citing concerns over anger, violence, and leadership suitability.
‎AFP via Getty Images
‎
‎The statement followed a tense exchange between the two lawmakers during Mullin’s confirmation hearing. The confrontation stemmed from Mullin previously referring to Paul as a “snake” and remarking that he understood the incident involving Paul’s neighbor.
‎
‎When directly asked about his stance, Paul responded simply, “No,” confirming his opposition to Mullin’s nomination.
‎
‎Paul elaborated on his concerns, pointing to what he described as anger-related issues and a failure to show remorse. He referenced both the past altercation involving himself and a separate Senate committee incident in which Mullin challenged Teamsters leader Sean O’Brien to a fight, noting Mullin has publicly expressed no regret over the episode.
‎
‎According to Paul, the leadership of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requires restraint rather than aggression. He emphasized that using violence to resolve disputes would set a harmful precedent for both ICE personnel and Border Patrol agents.
‎
‎He further argued that the agency is currently facing a critical period that demands clear direction from leadership. In his view, someone who engages in physical confrontations and refuses to apologize for such behavior is not suited to guide the organization.
‎
‎Paul also criticized Mullin for missing an opportunity to express regret during the hearing. He suggested that a nominee in such a position would typically acknowledge past tensions and offer an explanation or apology.
‎
‎Despite Paul’s opposition, Mullin’s nomination may still advance. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) has indicated his support, potentially offsetting Paul’s dissent.
‎
‎The committee is scheduled to convene Thursday morning to review Mullin’s nomination.

MORE FROM THE NEW YORK ABOVE

Europe Faces STI Crisis as Gonorrhea and Syphilis Cases Surge 303% Since 2015

Image
‎Europe is facing a growing sexual health emergency after newly released figures revealed a dramatic rise in gonorrhea and syphilis infections across the continent. ‎ ‎According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), sexually transmitted infections have climbed to levels not seen in more than a decade, with gonorrhea and syphilis cases increasing sharply since 2015. ‎ ‎Europe records alarming spikes in gonorrhea and syphilis cases as health officials warn of a growing STI crisis. ‎Corona Borealis/stock.adobe.com ‎The latest data show gonorrhea infections across Europe surged by 303%, reaching 106,331 reported cases. During the same period, syphilis cases more than doubled, exceeding 45,550 infections. ‎ ‎Spain emerged as the continent’s hardest-hit country, recording 37,169 gonorrhea cases and 11,556 syphilis infections in 2024, according to the BBC. ‎ ‎Health officials also expressed concern over the rise in congenital syphilis, a condition in wh...
Read more

WHO Declares DRC and Uganda Ebola Outbreak a Global Health Emergency After Nearly 90 Deaths

Image
‎The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighbouring Uganda a “public health emergency of international concern” following nearly 90 reported deaths linked to the virus. ‎ ‎WHO declares DRC-Uganda Ebola outbreak an international emergency after nearly 90 deaths linked to the Bundibugyo strain. ‎Victoire Mukenge/Reuters ‎ ‎The outbreak began in Ituri province in eastern DRC and involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which currently has no approved vaccine or specific treatment. Health officials warned that the outbreak presents a major regional threat after infections were detected in Uganda and linked cases reached Kinshasa, the Congolese capital. ‎ ‎Despite the growing concern, the WHO did not classify the situation as a pandemic, stating that the outbreak does not yet meet the required criteria. The agency also advised countries not to close borders or impose trade restrictions. ‎...
Read more

Should You Be Worried About the MV Hondius Hantavirus Crisis? Deaths and Quarantine Fears Explained

Image
‎A rare outbreak of Hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship has drawn international attention after several passengers became seriously ill while traveling across the South Atlantic. ‎ ‎According to the World Health Organization (WHO), five confirmed cases of hantavirus have been linked to the ship, with three deaths reported so far. One of the deceased was confirmed to have contracted the virus, while additional suspected cases remain under investigation. ‎ ‎WHO says the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak is serious but low risk as investigations continue into confirmed cases and deaths. ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎The situation has become increasingly difficult to follow because of conflicting information released by the WHO, Oceanwide Expeditions, and a travel influencer associated with the company. At the same time, the United States’ withdrawal from the WHO has reportedly limited American involvement in the international response. ‎ ‎What Happened on the MV Hondius? ‎ ‎The MV Ho...
Read more

‎Elon Musk Pushes to Remove OpenAI Leaders Sam Altman and Greg Brockman Ahead of Trial

Image
‎Elon Musk is pursuing legal action aimed at removing OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and President Greg Brockman from their positions as officers, as part of an ongoing case expected to head to trial later this month. ‎ ‎Elon Musk asks court to remove OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, alleging fraud and seeking nonprofit restoration before trial later this month. ‎David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images ‎ ‎In a filing submitted Tuesday, Musk’s legal team detailed the remedies he intends to seek if a court finds that OpenAI and its leadership defrauded him. The filing outlines a request to strip Altman of his role on the nonprofit board and remove both executives from their positions within the organization’s for-profit arm. ‎ ‎According to the document, such removals are standard when individuals in leadership fail to uphold or safeguard a charity’s mission. Musk’s lawyers argue that this step is necessary if wrongdoing is proven. ‎ ‎The dispute traces back to a lawsuit fi...
Read more

Four Dead and Dozens Hospitalized in Record California Mushroom Poisoning Surge

Image
‎California is experiencing the largest known mushroom poisoning outbreak in U.S. history, with four deaths and 43 hospitalizations linked to toxic mushrooms, according to experts. ‎ ‎The outbreak, which began in November, has continued far beyond the normal mushroom growing season, leaving public health officials and mycologists searching for answers about why cases remain widespread across the state. ‎ ‎California’s deadly mushroom poisoning outbreak has hospitalized 43 people and killed four in the largest U.S. outbreak ever. ‎ Anne Pringle ‎Three additional poisoning cases were reported earlier this week involving a family that picked mushrooms in Napa County over the weekend. According to Dr. Christine Wu, Napa County’s public health officer, the family gathered the mushrooms on Saturday, became ill Sunday and was hospitalized at Stanford Medical Center. ‎ ‎State health data shows victims have ranged in age from 19 months to 84 years old. Several incidents have involve...
Read more

WHO Warns More Hantavirus Cases Likely After Deadly MV Hondius Outbreak

Image
‎The World Health Organization has warned that additional hantavirus infections are likely following the deadly outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship. ‎ ‎WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the timeline of exposure among passengers makes further cases highly probable, especially given the virus’s lengthy incubation period. ‎ WHO warns more hantavirus cases are expected after the deadly MV Hondius outbreak linked to Antarctica tourism. An Argentine landfill has been suggested as the source of the deadly hantavirus outbreak. ‎Shutterstock ‎He said: “We would expect more cases, because the first case was on April 6 and until the report was confirmed as infectious around April 24/25, there was a lot of interaction of the passengers. ‎ ‎“As you know, the incubation period is six to eight weeks. Because of the interaction, while they were still on the ship, even as they were taking some preventative measures… we would expect more cases.” ‎ ‎The warning co...
Read more

Hantavirus Outbreak Update: UK Nationals Begin Home Isolation After Hospital Stay

Image
‎The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed that six people linked to the hantavirus outbreak can continue their 45-day isolation period at home after receiving their latest negative test results. ‎ ‎Officials also stated that the remaining individuals being monitored at the Merseyside hospital “remain asymptomatic.” ‎ ‎UKHSA says six people exposed to hantavirus can continue isolation at home after negative test results. ‎AFP ‎The agency further revealed that a medic on Ascension Island in the South Atlantic developed symptoms but tested negative for hantavirus. ‎ ‎Professor Robin May, chief scientific officer at the UKHSA, said: “Our teams are working closely with FCDO colleagues and leaders on Ascension Island to repatriate British nationals who are currently isolating on the island. ‎ ‎“Testing is under way to confirm the cause of illness for the person displaying symptoms and we will take all necessary action to support this person and the wider island populat...
Read more

Possible Hantavirus Infection in Illinois Separate From Cruise Ship Cases, Exposure Tied to Rodent Droppings

Image
‎Health officials in Illinois are investigating a possible hantavirus infection that authorities say is not connected to the deadly outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship. ‎ ‎According to ABC7, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is monitoring a resident in Winnebago County, located northwest of Chicago. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is also testing the individual, with results expected within 10 days. ‎ ‎Illinois officials say a possible hantavirus case is unrelated to the deadly MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak. ‎EPA ‎Officials said the person likely contracted the virus while cleaning a home containing rodent droppings. The patient did not require hospitalization, is not seriously ill, and is currently recovering at home, the IDPH confirmed. ‎ ‎Authorities emphasized that the case appears to involve the North American strain of hantavirus, which does not spread from person to person. Because of this, the IDPH said the risk to Illi...
Read more

Thousands of Mysterious Underwater UFO Sightings Reported Near US Shores

Image
‎Reports of unexplained underwater activity are gaining renewed attention after a popular UFO-tracking platform revealed thousands of sightings recorded near coastlines and waterways across the United States. ‎ ‎Enigma, a non-partisan organization known for maintaining what it calls the “largest queryable historical sighting database for global UFO sightings,” has logged around 30,000 UFO reports since its launch in 2022. ‎ Enigma says thousands of unexplained underwater objects have been reported near US coastlines and waterways. ‎stock.adobe.com ‎Recently, however, attention has increasingly focused on sightings occurring underwater rather than in the sky. ‎ ‎Marine Technology News reported that since August 2025, Enigma has cataloged more than 9,000 sightings of mysterious objects located within 10 miles of US shorelines and other major bodies of water. Roughly 500 of those reports occurred within five miles of the coast. ‎ ‎The objects are classified as Unidentified Sub...
Read more

What Is Andes Hantavirus? Everything to Know About the Deadly Virus

Image
‎At least 11 passengers aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship are reported to have contracted the Andes strain of hantavirus, while U.S. health officials continue monitoring additional passengers who may have been exposed. ‎ ‎Among the 18 Americans who were on the ship and are currently in quarantine facilities in the United States, at least three are being closely observed for possible infection. Three passengers from the cruise have already died from the virus. ‎ ‎Cruise ship Andes hantavirus outbreak leaves three dead as experts study possible human-to-human spread. ‎New York Above  ‎ ‎Health experts say all recently confirmed cases involve people who had direct contact with infected individuals on board. However, growing concerns remain about whether the Andes strain may spread more easily than previously believed. The Andes strain is the only known hantavirus capable of person-to-person transmission. ‎ ‎For years, experts believed transmission occurred mainly through c...
Read more