Evening Wire: Senate Mulls DHS Nominee & Tesla’s Michigan Plant | 3.18.26

This Evening Wire episode recaps Senate hearings on Trump's DHS nominee amid the department's month-long shutdown, escalating Middle East tensions from Israel-Iran strikes, the Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates steady, and a range of business, policy, and political updates.

DHS Nominee Hearing and Shutdown Developments

Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin, Trump's nominee to replace Kristi Noem as DHS Secretary, faced tough questions during his confirmation hearing. He defended past blunt comments calling Senator Alex Padilla a "snake" and initially labeling a border incident victim "deranged," admitting he spoke too quickly without facts and pledging better judgment. Senator Josh Hawley pressed on the shutdown's harm, with Mullin calling it "devastating" to morale and operations, especially amid potential terrorist threats. The White House sent a new funding proposal to Senate Democrats, offering concessions on body cameras, immigration enforcement limits, and officer IDs; an official called it "reasonable and serious" after Democrats' slower counterproposal.