Lisa Desjardins

For those not picking up on it: this is an extra weird day on Capitol Hill.

It was a great story, one of my favorites too. They had an amazing and not easy conversation - ending in a starting friendship.

Sen. Fetterman, blunt, to Mullin: "Americans don't like chaos." He says he grieves for Alex Pretti, Renee Good and Laken Riley - says all three were failures of the American government.

Gabbard: I did not work in law enforcement action. I worked with the FBI to observe their activities.

NOW: Sen. Warner asking ODNI Tulsi Gabbard about her trip to Fulton County, GA to look into the 2020 election.

THIS. Would be a change from Noem. Mullin: We will use judicial warrants to enter homes, businesses unless we are pursuing a subject who ran into that home.

Paul: "The record should show, and I think will show a lack of contrition, no apology, and no regrets for your support, you completely understand the violence that was perpetrated on me. You're unrepentant."

Mullin: "if you're willing to set it aside, let me earn your respect. Let me earn the job. I won't fail you. I won't back down from a challenge, and I also admit when I'm wrong. I'm not perfect. I don't claim to be perfect. I make mistakes just like anybody else. But mistakes if you own them, you're gonna learn from them and you can move ahead."

Mullin hearing quotes. Paul opening statement - he raised how he was aggressively assaulted and Mullin later said he understood why the perpetrator did it. Paul to Mullin: "Tell the world why you believe I deserve to be assaulted. from behind, have 6 ribs broken and a damaged lung. Tell me to my face, why you think I deserved it. And while you're at it, explain to the American public why they should trust a man with anger issues to set the proper example for ICE and Border Patrol."

Paging @JohnBrennan (CIA 2015), Clapper (DNI) & other Obama admin folks from that time. The Senate would like to hear if you have any information about Mullin’s classified missions while serving in the House.

If Rand is a no and every other Republican is a yes, Mullin would need a Dem to support him to get out of committee and to the floor. Fetterman has said he would support him.

Hello from the Senate Homeland Security confirmation hearing for DHS Sec. nominee @SenMullin. This is off to quite a start. Mullin is giving one of the most human opening statements I have heard - saying he is human, but will work hard and is devoted to doing the job and does not want the agency in the headlines. But Chairman Rand Paul, R-Ky, has already signaled his deep concerns - saying Mullin has an anger issue.

USA 🇺🇸

Who is @SenMullin? We - w the help of @reesejgorman - take a look ahead of his DHS confirmation hearing.

Democrats argue this leaves out the vast bulk and core of their concerns, including: - warrants for entering private spaces - masks - codified use of force and conduct standards

DHS SHUTDOWN OFFER. @NewsHour has obtained this letter from the WH to Senators outlining their offer for ending the shutdown. Read here. But basic points: - Expand use, oversight of body cameras - Limit immigration enforcement at schools, churches, sensitive locations (voluntary) - Enforce use of visible ID for DHS law enforcement. Officers must state their agency and identification when asked. - Will not deport US citizens, as per the law and will codify that US citizens should not be detained except if a law is violated. This was first reported by @PunchbowlNews I believe.

NOW: The chair and ranking of Senate Approps, along with the chair and ranking for the Labor-H subcommittee are all huddling on the Senate floor. Appropriators know how to get things done, or try. (If looking for where - three of the four are women wearing green. )

Thune says the Senate will be on the SAVE America Act for the "foreseeable future." No, it won't be a talking filibuster, he says: “the votes aren't there for the talking filibuster” "We'll get on it this afternoon and let the debate start, see where it goes ... there'll be some flexibility"

IRAN - was there an imminent threat? I asked @SpeakerJohnson about fellow Republican Joe Kent's letter resigning as counterterrorism director and writing that "Iran posed no imminent threat". Johnson gave strong pushback -- see below.

Can confirm, JG has the receipts. For those who want the tea - highly recommend. (We’ll keep up with other parts of the meal here and @NewsHour too ofc )