The new nominee to head the Department of Homeland Security walked into his confirmation hearings with an unexpected endorsement in tow.

“If anyone is willing to stand their butt up to protect America, it’s Markwayne Mullin,” said Teamsters President Sean O’Brien in a playfully worded statement from early March, shortly after it was announced that former South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem was out as DHS secretary and Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) was in as her replacement to head the sprawling agency.