'I can't ANSWER that…': Mullin Drops BOMBSHELL, signals major shift in FEMA at confirmation hearing

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), President Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), says the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) should be “restructured, not eliminated” and that he would revoke current Secretary Kristi Noem’s controversial policy of personally reviewing major expenditures. Mullin’s comments came during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. FEMA, which is under the DHS, has been in the Trump administration’s crosshairs. Last year, President Trump and Noem suggested the agency should be eliminated before pivoting their rhetoric more toward reform. Among Noem’s most contentious changes at the agency was her policy of personally reviewing expenses of more than $100,000, which led to billions in agency funding being held up. Asked by Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) if he would commit to eliminating the review policy, Mullin said “absolutely.” “That’s called micromanaging, and I don’t know if the secretary put that in or someone else did. I’m not a micromanager,” Mullin said.