DONKEY: Sen. Rand Paul Trades Words With Sen. Mullin In DHS Nomination Clash

Summary

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Donkey of the Day: Sen. Rand Paul Trades Words With Sen. Mullin In DHS Nomination Clash

Podcast: Donkey of the Day (The Breakfast Club, Power 105.1 FM)
Date: March 19, 2026
Host: Charlamagne Tha God
Episode Theme: Charlamagne awards Senator Rand Paul the "Donkey of the Day" for using a Senate confirmation hearing to air personal grievances against Senator Markwayne Mullin, rather than focusing on policy or the nominee’s qualifications.

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Episode Overview

Charlamagne Tha God focuses today's "Donkey of the Day" on Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, following a dramatic Senate confirmation hearing. The spotlight is on Rand Paul’s especially personal confrontation with fellow Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin, who is nominated to become Secretary of Homeland Security. Charlamagne criticizes Rand Paul for making the hearing about an old grudge and portrays the entire episode as petty, personal, and unbecoming of the Senate. The commentary also draws on Rand Paul’s infamous altercation with his neighbor as a touchpoint for wider commentary on grudges, violence, and political spectacle.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Background: The Senate Dust-Up

• Rand Paul's Grievance: Rand Paul confronts Markwayne Mullin about past comments, accusing Mullin of supporting the physical attack that Paul suffered at the hands of his neighbor in 2017.
  • “Senator Rand Paul does not like Senator Markwayne Mullen, OK? There is a clear disdain. There is a clear bias.” (04:55)
• Confirmation Setting: The clash happens during Mullin’s Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee confirmation hearing for the role of DHS Secretary, to replace Kristi Noem.
• Partisan Dynamics: Charlamagne observes the irony of Republicans publicly squabbling, as “Republicans don’t fall in love. They fall in line. But Rand Paul is not falling in line here.” (05:27)

Replay of the Infamous Attack

• A news report recounts Rand Paul’s 2017 altercation: his neighbor, Dr. Renee Boucher, beat him up over a landscaping dispute, leaving Paul with six broken ribs and a bruised lung. (05:50–06:28)
  • “He was running so hard that the two of us, by the time he hit me, probably carried 10ft down the hill. I mean, this was an impact. My doctors have said that they've almost never seen six ribs broken in an assault. It's usually a car accident.” – [Sen. Rand Paul, 06:14]

The Senate Showdown – Dramatic Exchange

• Rand Paul (07:25):

  “You told the media that I was a freaking snake and that you completely understood why I had been assaulted. Tell the world why you believe I deserve to be assaulted from behind… Tell me to my face.”

• Mullin's Response (07:45):

  “I simply address that. I said I could understand because of the behavior you were having. I could understand why your neighbor did what he did… And as far as me saying that I invoke violence, I don't.”

• Rand Paul (07:56):

  “And you offer no apology today and no regrets.”

• Mullin (07:59):

  “I'm not apologizing for pointing out your good.”

Charlamagne humorously interjects:

“Felonious, violent attack from behind. Don’t you threaten Envy with a good time.” (08:13)

Charlamagne’s Analysis & Take

• On Pettiness & Personal Grudges:
  • Charlamagne says Rand Paul’s grudge is dominating an important confirmation process. “Don’t take it out on Senator Mullen. Rand Paul, go get your get back with your neighbor Renee Boucher. That’s who you really got smoke with.” (09:36)
• On Understanding Violence:
  • He says it's not surprising others might sympathize with Boucher’s frustration, especially if Rand Paul was genuinely a difficult neighbor.
  • “Why do we act like we all don’t know someone who deserves to get hands put on them?... Pretty much for the most part, the times I got hands put on me, I deserved it.” (08:37)
  • “There are random acts of violence... but if your neighbor… probably had long-time disputes… he really sat over his Frosted Flakes and said to himself, ‘One day, I’m gonna have to f— this dude up.’” (09:09)
• On the Hearing's Appropriateness:
  • Charlamagne insists hearings should focus on facts, not personal spats:

    “In a confirmation hearing, you can’t lead with a personal grievance over policy. I don’t want to see two guys with personal history settling scores on the national stage.” (10:03)

  • Valid concerns about endorsing violence are one thing, but Paul is “being upset because he thinks you should have gotten beat up—that’s emotional, that’s personal, that’s petty.” (10:54)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Charlamagne on Rand Paul’s Grudge:

  “Senator Rand Paul is holding a grudge, all right?” (06:42)

• On the Neighbor’s Decision:

  “He did his jail math. He probably calculated all the cost. How much is the lawyer? How much is the bail? He knew you were Senator Rand Paul, and he still said, nah, this is gonna be worth it.” (09:17)

• On Political Spectacle:

  “Red gonna bang on blue. Blue gonna bang on red. But this is interesting because Senator Rand Paul… was letting it be known from the beginning—I don’t f with you.” (05:22)

• Remy Ma comes in with the classic send-off:

  “He haw, hee haw, he haw!” (11:39)

• Charlamagne, on the pettiness:

  “Please let Remy Ma give Senator Rand Paul the biggest… He haw.” (11:36)

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Important Timestamps

• 03:24: Charlamagne kicks off “Donkey of the Day”
• 05:51: Announces Senator Rand Paul as Donkey of the Day
• 05:50–06:28: News report details Paul’s fight with his neighbor
• 07:25–08:13: On-air playback of the Mullin/Paul Senate exchange
• 10:03: Charlamagne shifts to commentary on why hearings shouldn’t be for personal beef
• 11:39: “He haw” sound effect and episode wind-down

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Final Thoughts

Charlamagne uses humor and honesty to dissect why public officials need to keep personal animosities out of official proceedings. He condemns Rand Paul’s use of a critical DHS confirmation as a stage to relitigate old drama, emphasizing that while policy concerns about violence are valid, overt pettiness is not. The result: Rand Paul receives the “Donkey of the Day” for mixing his grudges with governance.

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Transcript

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

Use that donkey thing at E. A bunch of donkeys around here. It's time for donkey of the day. I got the donkey of the day for being toxic. They made me the donkey of the day by the things that I said. Damn Charlemagne. Some donkey to they just seldom settle.

[Lauren LaRosa]

It was you.

[Breakfast Club Host (Charlamagne Tha God)]

What accountability are you taking.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

On the Breakfast Club?

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

off with this donkey right here. We up donkey Today for Thursday, March 19th goes to Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky. Now, why am I giving Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky the biggest he haw this morning? Well, because if you was listening to Front Page News this morning with Mimi Browns and you heard her report the story about Senator Rand Paul confronting Senator Mark Wayne Mullen at what has been called a heated DHS confirmation hearing. Now, let me explain something. Senator Mark Wayne Mullen is a Republican from Oklahoma and he appeared before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for a confirmation hearing on his nomination to replace Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Now, let me be the first to tell you, I don't know anything about Senator Mark Wayne Mullen. So this Donkey Today is coming strictly from what I saw in this hearing yesterday. Off top, Senator Rand Paul does not like Senator Mark Wayne Mullen, okay? There is a clear disdain. There is a clear bias. There is nothing Senator Mark Wayne Mullen could have done or said in that hearing to get Senator Rand Paul's. Get Senator Rand Paul to vote for him. Okay? Now, I don't know if that's fair. I would think you would have to be somewhat objective in these hearings. But it's impossible, okay? It's impossible. Especially when we talking about partisan Politics. These folks gon rep they side. They gonna rep they set. Red gonna bang on blue. Blue gonna bang on red. But this is interesting because Senator Rand. Pa. Republican and Republicans don't fall in love. They fall in line. But Rand Paul is not falling in line here. No, no, no. He was letting it be known from the beginning. I don't f with you. Why? Because Senator Rand Paul, once upon a time in 2017, got beat up. All right? His neighbor, a retired anesthesiologist named Renee Boucher, put hands on him, okay? They had some dispute over yard waste. And I don't know what words were exchanged, but it's clear that Renee got to the point where he couldn't take it no more. He was fed up. So he beat Rand Paul up, okay. Left him with six broken ribs and a bruised lung. Let's go to Local 12 News to hear that story.

[News Reporter]

Kentucky Senator Paul. Rand Paul is speaking out about the moment his neighbor attacked him. Paul says violence caught him off guard. Dr. Renee Boucher assaulted Paul eight months ago at his home in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Now, Boucher recently pleaded guilty to assaulting the sitting senator back in November. He says Paul kept leaving brush piles close to his property. Eventually, Boucher say he got fed up and he ambushed Paul.

[Senator Rand Paul]

He was running so hard that the two of us, by the time he hit me, probably carried 10ft down the hill. I mean, this was an impact. My doctors have said that they've almost never seen six ribs broken in an assault. It's usually a car accident.

[News Reporter]

Senator Paul says he never knew his neighbor was that upset about the brush piles. The judge sentenced Boucher to 30 days in prison, but Paul is appealing to get that changed. At 21 months behind bars, Boucher is countersuing Paul, his wife, and their homeowners association.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Hey, keep your guard up at all times, okay? Senator Rand Paul is holding a grudge, all right? He does not like the fact that Senator Mark Wayne Mullen once once suggested he understood why the neighbor attacked Paul. Let's go to Meet the Press now for the report, please.

[Podcast Host]

We are following developments on Capitol Hill and a potential setback for the President's pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security. Senator Rand Paul, the Republican chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, announcing he will oppose fellow Senator Mark Wayne Mullen's nomination to be DHS secretary when his committee votes tomorrow. Paul making that announcement after leaving Mullen's confirmation hearing today, a hearing that began with this heated exchange between the two.

[Senator Rand Paul]

You told the media that I was a freaking snake and that you Completely understood why I had been assaulted. Tell the world why you believe I deserve to be assaulted from behind, have six ribs broken and a damaged lung. Tell me to my face. And while you're at it, explain to the American public why they should trust a man with anger issues.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I simply address that. I said I could understand because of the behavior you were having. I could understand why your neighbor, by the neighbor, did what he did. And as far as me saying that I invoke violence, I don't.

[Senator Rand Paul]

And you offer no apology today and no regrets.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And I'm not apologizing for pointing out your good.

[Senator Rand Paul]

So you're. You're jolly well fine. And you want the American public and the people up here to vote that may or may not vote for you to know that you supported the. The felonious, violent attack on me from behind.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I did not say I supported it. I said I understood it. Felonious, violent attack from behind. Don't you threaten envy with a good time. First of all, dropping the clues bombs for Senator Markway Mullen. All right, now, you know your Uncle Charlotte is not smarter than the average bear. God is still working on me, okay? I was in therapy this week, literally talking to my therapist about people I want to hurt. When I say hurt, I don't necessarily mean physically. Just there's people out there I could easily destroy. And as humans, we want. We want to sometime, okay? But the reality is, it's never really worth it. You got to let these devils be devils because it gives God the opportunity to show people how anointed you are. Okay? God is always waiting for the opportunity to show these demons why you shouldn't play with his children. But my ministry was not Rene Boucher's ministry. Renee decided he wanted to put hands and feet on Senator Rand Paul. Senator Mark Wayne Mullen knows Rand Paul. And in his mind, Randall Paul deserved to get his ass kicked. Okay, see, Rand Paul, you were trying to make Senator Markway Mullen look bad by bringing up the fact he said he understood why the neighbor attacked you. Well, I don't think it made him look bad at all. Especially if he thinks you are somebody who needed to get beat up. Why do we act like we all don't know someone who deserves to get hands put on them? Okay, look, in my life, I didn't put hands on people. And I done got hands put on me. And I think pretty much for the most part, the times I got hands put on me, I deserved it. Okay, see, it's not up to you to determine whether or not someone kicks your ass. Okay? Don't get me wrong. There are random acts of violence, okay? There are times when physical violence is not justified. But if your neighbor, who is an anesthesiologist, okay, who you have probably had long time disputes with the person who lives right next to you, if you and your neighbor are having what was called a long running landscape dispute over debris, that means your neighbor has thought about this, okay? He really sat sitting over his frosted Flakes and said to himself, one day, I'm gonna have to F this dude up. Okay? He did his jail math. He probably calculated all the cost. How much is the lawyer? How much is the bail? He knew you were sitting, sending a rampall, and he still said, nah, this is gonna be worth it. Look, Rand Paul, I don't know you. You might be a great guy, but your neighbor didn't think so. And Senator Mark Wayne Mullen, who actually knows you, didn't think so. Hell, if I. I bet if I pulled, you know, some other elected officials to the side, they would probably say, nah, he des ass kicked. I've been wanting to do it myself for years. All I'm saying, sir, is we don't have time for this type of petty. Okay? In a confirmation hearing, you can't lead with a personal grievance over policy. I don't want to see two guys with personal history settling scores on the national stage. Don't take it out on Senator Mullen. Rand Paul, go get your. Get back with your neighbor Renee Bu. Okay? That's who you really got smoke with? He's the one who broke six of your ribs, okay? Gave you a felonist, violent assault from the back, all right? Now, if you got an issue with Senator Mullen's temperament, fair. Completely understand if you feel like he's downplayed political violence so he might not be fit to run dhs. I overstand. But if you mad because he don't like you and he thinks you are someone worthy of getting beat up, well, that's lame, okay? Raising concerns about endorsing or minimizing violence, Valid. But being upset because he thinks you. You should have gotten beat up, that's emotional. That's personal. That's petty. Please let Remy Ma give Senator Rand Paul the biggest.

[Breakfast Club Host (Charlamagne Tha God)]

He haw hee haw he haw.

[Lauren LaRosa]

You stupid mother.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Are you dumb? That's why I always got to hear both sides.

[Breakfast Club Host (Charlamagne Tha God)]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I need to hear both sides.

[Breakfast Club Host (Charlamagne Tha God)]

Yeah.

[Senator Rand Paul]

All right.

[Breakfast Club Host (Charlamagne Tha God)]

Well, thank you for that donkey today.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Breakfast Club Host (Charlamagne Tha God)]

All right, when we come back, just fix my mess 800-585-1051. If you have any relationship issues or problems, you can call her up right now. It's the Breakfast Club. Good morning.

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