Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Markwayne Mullin

Public opinion and media debates around Markwayne Mullin—discover key moments of controversy.

Markwayne Mullin is an American politician and businessman serving as the junior United States Senator from Oklahoma since 2023. A Republican, he won a 2022 special election to fill the remainder of Jim Inhofe's term. Mullin is the first Native American U.S. Senator since 2005 and the second Cherokee Nation citizen elected to the Senate. Prior to his Senate service, Mullin represented Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2023.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

April 2017: Town Hall Controversy

In April 2017, Mullin drew criticism for telling constituents that it was "bullcrap" that taxpayers pay his salary during a town hall meeting.

July 2017: Announced Run for Fourth Term

In July 2017, Mullin released a video announcing that he would run for a fourth term in 2018, reversing his earlier promise to serve only three terms.

2018: House Ethics Committee Report

In a 2018 report, the U.S. House Ethics Committee noted that Mullin should not endorse products or services, particularly if he personally benefits financially from the endorsement.

2019: Compared Sean O'Brien's Salary to UPS Drivers' Income

On March 8, 2023, Mullin asked about O'Brien's salary and compared it to what he claimed UPS drivers made, on average, in 2019. O'Brien responded, "that's inaccurate", and told Mullin he simply "negotiates the contract".

December 10, 2020: Introduced Protect Women's Sports Act

On December 10, 2020, Mullin and Representative Tulsi Gabbard introduced the Protect Women's Sports Act, a bill to define Title IX protections on the basis of an individual's biological sex.

December 2020: Signed Amicus Brief Supporting Texas v. Pennsylvania

In December 2020, Mullin was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election.

2020: Supported Claim of Stolen Election

When campaigning for the 2022 United States Senate special election in Oklahoma, Mullin supported the claim that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump.

August 2021: Attempted to Enter Afghanistan

In August 2021, during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Mullin and others flew to Greece and sought permission to enter Afghanistan to extract U.S. citizens, but their request was denied.

August 2022: Criticism of Student Loan Forgiveness

In August 2022, Mullin criticized President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness plan, but subsequently faced criticism after it was revealed he benefited from federal PPP loan forgiveness.

2022: Stance on Abortion

During the 2022 Republican runoff debate, Mullin stated that he opposes abortion in all circumstances, including cases of rape, incest, or if the mother's life is at risk.

2022: PPP Loans Forgiven

In 2022, Mullin had $1.4 million in PPP loans forgiven and was criticized for his hypocrisy regarding President Biden's student loan debt forgiveness.

2022: Supported Claim of Stolen Election

When campaigning for the 2022 United States Senate special election in Oklahoma, Mullin supported the claim that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump.

March 8, 2023: Accused Teamsters President of Intimidation

On March 8, 2023, Mullin accused Teamsters president Sean O'Brien of "intimidation" during a Senate HELP Committee hearing on the PRO Act, leading to a heated exchange.