Kimmel Draws Criticism for Joke on Mullin's Plumbing Background

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel sparked widespread criticism this week after joking about the professional background of newly appointed Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin during a monologue on his ABC show. The remarks, made on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, highlighted Mullin's earlier career as a plumber, prompting accusations from Republican figures that the comment demeaned blue-collar workers. Kimmel addressed the backlash in his Thursday monologue, clarifying that his criticism targeted Mullin's qualifications for the role rather than the trade itself.

Mullin, a former U.S. senator from Oklahoma, was confirmed by the Senate in a 54-45 vote on Monday, March 23, and sworn in the following day, succeeding Kristi Noem amid an ongoing partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security that has furloughed thousands of employees, including Transportation Security Administration workers. The appointment comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over federal operations and border security.

In his initial segment, Kimmel referenced Mullin's pre-political experience, stating, "Before he was elected to the Senate, Markwayne Mullin was a low-level MMA fighter and a...