Senator Markwayne Mullin received criticism after posting on X that he was “working through the weekend” with President Donald Trump. Many quickly pointed out that Trump’s public schedule showed him at Mar-a-Lago, far from the Oval Office, at the time of the post. While Trump ordered the Senate to stay in D.C. to negotiate an end to the government shutdown, his weekend plans included a lavish party at his resort. Mullin, who was in D.C., later clarified that the meeting had been the prior evening, but critics continued to call out the implication that Trump was also working through the weekend.
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Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) revealed on Fox News that he does not wear a seatbelt while driving in Washington, D.C., due to concerns about carjacking, despite the city’s mandatory seatbelt law. Mullin cited the high rate of car theft in the capital as justification, claiming he needs to be able to “exit in a hurry” if faced with a carjacking. He also praised former President Trump’s deployment of National Guard members and increased control over the Metropolitan Police Department in response to rising crime rates. A violation of the seatbelt ordinance in D.C. carries a $50 fine.
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Recent incidents highlight a concerning trend of Republicans misremembering the timing of significant events and presidential administrations. Senator Markwayne Mullin incorrectly asserted that Barack Obama was president during Jeffrey Epstein’s 2008 plea deal, despite readily available information to the contrary. This misstatement, made on CNN, inadvertently drew attention to Trump’s appointment of Alex Acosta, who oversaw the Epstein deal, to a Cabinet position. The instance is one of many, demonstrating an ongoing pattern of historical inaccuracies among Republican figures.
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On CNN’s State of the Union, Senator Markwayne Mullin made repeated claims about the timing of Jeffrey Epstein’s plea agreement, incorrectly attributing it to the Obama administration. Jake Tapper corrected Mullin, clarifying that the agreement was finalized in 2008 under the Bush administration, not 2009, and was overseen by U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta, who later served in Trump’s administration. The article highlights the Republican response to the Epstein investigation, especially after the Trump administration decided to halt document releases and reports on the Trump connections to the investigation. Republicans are divided, with some supporting a bipartisan effort for document release and others avoiding the issue, as the House Speaker sent lawmakers home to avoid a vote on related legislation.
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During a recent interview, Senator Markwayne Mullin attempted to connect the Jeffrey Epstein case to the Obama administration. CNN anchor Jake Tapper quickly corrected Mullin, pointing out the plea deal was actually negotiated in 2008 under the Bush administration by then-U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta. Despite the factual clarification, Mullin persisted in his false claims, echoing a recurring pattern of linking Obama to controversy, highlighting a larger trend of misinformation and political maneuvering.
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During a CNN interview, Senator Markwayne Mullin incorrectly attributed Jeffrey Epstein’s 2008 plea deal to the Obama administration, despite Obama not being in office at the time. Mullin repeatedly insisted that the deal occurred in 2009 under Obama’s presidency, even after being corrected by the interviewer, Jake Tapper. Tapper clarified that the agreement was reached in 2008 under the Bush administration, with the U.S. Attorney involved being a Bush appointee. Despite this factual information, Mullin continued to maintain his false claims.
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In response to Gallego’s resolution, Mullin objected, claiming it was political theater and would be handled similarly to past investigations targeting Trump, such as the impeachments and special counsels. Mullin’s obstruction suggests an effort to shield Trump from scrutiny, particularly regarding the release of Epstein files, despite the failure to deliver on promises regarding these documents. The focus on President Biden’s non-involvement is seen as a weak argument, as Trump was also a former president during Epstein’s death. By blocking the resolution, Mullin is seen as using technicalities to delay the process and protect Trump.
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Senator Markwayne Mullin, in a since-clarified X video, joked about the historical shooting of a Congressman by a reporter, suggesting violence could deter “fake news.” He later claimed his comments were a joke, despite the video’s apparent seriousness. This incident follows a 2023 near-physical altercation with a union president during a Senate hearing, highlighting Mullin’s history of confrontational behavior. The historical context referenced involves a reporter acquitted of murder on self-defense grounds.
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Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin blocked the promotion of Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue, the last U.S. soldier to leave Afghanistan, to four-star general. This action follows President Trump’s threats to punish officials involved in the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal and potential court-martial proceedings. Donahue’s nomination, among hundreds, was stalled, prompting criticism from figures like retired Gen. Tony Thomas and former State Department official Heather Nauert. The hold jeopardizes Donahue’s promotion with the upcoming Senate recess and change in Congress.
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Following President-elect Trump’s controversial nomination of Matt Gaetz for Attorney General, a debate erupted regarding the release of a pending ethics report detailing allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use against Gaetz. While some Republicans, including Senator Markwayne Mullin, advocate for the Senate’s access to the report, others, like House Speaker Mike Johnson, oppose public release. Despite Gaetz denying wrongdoing and a prior DOJ investigation concluding without charges, the situation tests Republican unity and presents a strategic challenge for Democrats, who are urged to focus on broader legislative concerns rather than individual appointments.
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John Q. Hosedrinker