Representative Tim Burchett, a Republican from Tennessee, blasted critics of President Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, who have pointed to Mullin’s lack of a college degree.
Burchett criticized higher education’s consistent air of superiority, arguing that a diploma alone is not a measure of success or, for that matter, competence.
🚨 BREAKING: Rep. Tim Burchett just pummeled the elitists attacking Trump DHS Sec. nominee Markwayne Mullin because he "doesn't have a college degree" and "isn't qualified"
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 11, 2026
"Sitting here thinking about that and the arrogance of that is just beyond belief!"
"The SNOBS and the… pic.twitter.com/Fh5dYDzVE1
"Hey, everybody, Tim Burchett. I've been reading a lot lately about folks fussing about Mark Wayne Mullen not having a dadgum college education. Sitting here thinking about that, and the arrogance of that is just beyond belief," he said.
I mean, there's a guy who, granted, we're not the best of friends, we've had our differences, but has nothing to do with his leadership abilities. He left school, from what I understand, because his daddy got sick and he took over the family business, and he's, by all accounts, he's been unbelievably successful. Several other businesses, he's got a mess of kids and him and his wife and they they do a good job at raising them.
"I often go down local coffee shop around here, and I talk to some of the young folks there, and a lot of them have a college degree. Some of them have multiple college degrees. I just think the snobs and the intelligentsia these days, they are a little big for their britches," Rep. Burchett said.
He went on to argue that Americans have long been capable of achieving great things without a college degree, making the idea that one is now required for a government position laughable. In his view, a person’s character and work ethic are often far more indicative of their abilities than a simple piece of paper.
My dad didn't have a college education when he and his buddies went and saved the world during the Second World War. Literally, they saved the world. So, I just think has more to do with their ability and their character, and if they're willing to fight and work.
"And I think Markwayne has shown that on all accounts," he added.