Overview
- The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement criticizing Kimmel for ridiculing Markwayne Mullin’s blue-collar roots and calling the secretary a model of the best of blue-collar America.
- Kimmel defended his monologue in a follow-up segment, saying he was not knocking plumbers but arguing Mullin lacks the expertise for Homeland Security.
- Mike Rowe, who promotes careers in the trades, called the jokes tone-deaf and said Mullin’s path from plumber to businessman to cabinet official reflects the American Dream.
- Conservative voices, including CNN commentator Scott Jennings, denounced the remarks as elitist, and President Trump praised Mullin as country smart during a Fox News interview.
- Mullin, a former plumbing company owner who served more than a decade in Congress, was confirmed and sworn in last week, keeping the debate focused on whether nontraditional careers suit national-security leadership.