DHS Nominee Mullin's Resurfaced Video Defends Spanking as Discipline
Markwayne Mullin, the soon-to-be Department of Homeland Security Secretary, has come under renewed scrutiny after a video resurfaced where he boasted about spanking his children as a form of discipline. The footage emerged just as he was confirmed to replace Kristi Noem in the role, sparking debate over his parenting views.
Comments at City Elders Meeting
Mullin, a father of six and former MMA fighter, made the remarks during an October 2023 meeting of the City Elders, a group he described as aiming to elect "Godly people" to positions like school boards and city councils. In the video, he emphasized the importance of discipline, reflecting on his own upbringing "by the fear of a belt."
"I've never seen a man that can take a belt off so fast, double it up and still hit you. I don't know how in the world he done that. I tried it and I just can't," Mullin said, claiming he learned "respect" from such beatings, which he asserted he "deserved."
Defense of Physical Discipline
He explicitly stated, "I do spank. I have no problem with that," drawing applause from the audience. While spanking is not illegal in many jurisdictions, child psychologists often argue against it, citing potential negative impacts on children's mental health. Mullin's comments highlight a contentious divide in parenting philosophies.
He went on to describe his daughters as "truly loving," noting that even after spanking, they would "come and crawl on my lap two minutes later and just hug on me." He recounted one incident where a daughter pleaded, "No, daddy, no. Daddy, no daddy, no, I'm sorry, daddy, I'm sorry, dad," and would get "madder and madder" before complying.
Threatening Remarks and Personal Anecdotes
In the same address, Mullin recalled threatening his daughter's boyfriend, whom he called a "good kid," saying, "If I ever see you kiss her in front of me, I'm dragging your face across the asphalt." He added, "And that's a true story; I told him that," underscoring his assertive approach to parenting.
He also shared that disciplining his son was particularly difficult because the boy "was so hard on himself because he would just have this huge crocodile tear running down his eyes," illustrating the emotional complexities he faced.
Timing Amid Confirmation Process
The video's resurgence coincides with Mullin's confirmation to replace Kristi Noem, following a heated Senate hearing where he was pressed by Sen. Rand Paul over past attacks and a 2023 blow-up with Teamsters president Sean O'Brien. This has added to the controversy surrounding his appointment, raising questions about his public statements and their alignment with his new role.
As Mullin steps into the DHS Secretary position, these remarks continue to fuel discussions on discipline, parenting, and the scrutiny faced by public figures in high-stakes government roles.
