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 currently serving as Oklahoma's junior United States senator since 2023. A Republican, he won a special election in 2022 to fill the remainder of Jim Inhofe's term. Mullin's background is in business, which likely informs his approach to policy and governance in the Senate.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

2009: Mullin Plumbing Hired Tim Saylor

In 2009 Mullin Plumbing hired Tim Saylor, who was convicted of gun-related crimes in 2009.

March 2012: FEC Complaint Filed Against Mullin's Campaign

In March 2012, the Claremore Daily Progress reported that the Federal Election Commission had received a complaint about Markwayne Mullin's campaign, alleging excessive contributions and corporate donations.

December 2013: Office of Congressional Ethics Recommended Investigation

In December 2013, the Office of Congressional Ethics recommended a full investigation to the House Committee on Ethics over allegations that Markwayne Mullin received outside earned income and had endorsed products and services owned by him or his family.

March 2014: Committee Released Report Alleging Ethics Violations

In March 2014, the House Committee on Ethics released a report alleging that Markwayne Mullin violated House ethics rules and federal laws by earning over $600,000 from his plumbing companies and by sitting on his plumbing company's board.

2014: Criticism of housing migrant children and Obama administration immigration actions

In 2014, Markwayne Mullin criticized the housing of unaccompanied migrant children at Fort Sill and condemned the Obama administration's actions regarding an immigration crisis.

November 2015: Introduction of amendment to allow killing of swallows to hasten construction

In November 2015, Markwayne Mullin introduced an amendment to the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act that would allow the killing of swallows, a protected species, to hasten construction.

May 2016: Criticism of Department of Education's transgender student policy

In May 2016, Markwayne Mullin criticized the Department of Education and the Department of Justice's Dear Colleague letter on transgender students, arguing that transgender girls should not use girls' restrooms in public schools.

January 2017: Mullin Buys Stock in Innate Immunotherapeutics

Around January 2017, Markwayne Mullin bought stock in Innate Immunotherapeutics, a company involved in an insider trading scandal with New York representative Chris Collins.

April 2017: Mullin: Taxpayers Paying Salary is 'Bullcrap'

In April 2017, Markwayne Mullin said at a town hall in Jay, Oklahoma, that it was "bullcrap" that taxpayers pay his salary.

2017: Rand Paul's Neighbor Assault

In 2017, Kentucky senator Rand Paul's neighbor had assaulted him. At a Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing, Kentucky senator Rand Paul verbally attacked Mullin for saying he understood why Paul's neighbor had assaulted him.

2018: Committee Called for Mullin to Return Money

In 2018, the Ethics Committee called for Markwayne Mullin to return $40,000 to his family business, Mullin West.

2020: Mullin Repeats Sentiments Regarding Ballot Counting

In 2020, as Trump expressed doubts about the ballot counting process in the presidential election, Mullin repeated similar sentiments. He affirmed Trump's efforts to contest the results and engaged in efforts to overturn the election. Mullin was also present during the January 6 Capitol attack.

January 2021: Introduction of bill to prevent transgender women in women's sports

In January 2021, Markwayne Mullin and Hawaii representative Tulsi Gabbard introduced a bill that would prevent transgender women from participating in women's sports.

August 2021: Mullin Travels to Greece and Requests Access to Kabul

In August 2021, The Washington Post reported that Markwayne Mullin traveled to Greece and requested authorization from the Department of Defense to enter Kabul as the Taliban mounted an offensive on Afghanistan, but the request was rejected. Mullin asked for assistance in moving cash into Tajikistan.

2021: Biden Administration 'Tried to Kill' Mullin

In April 2022, Markwayne Mullin claimed in a fundraising letter that the Biden administration "tried to kill" him in his effort to rescue Afghans in 2021.

August 2022: White House Criticizes PPP Loan Forgiveness

In August 2022, the White House's Twitter account criticized Markwayne Mullin for having $1.4 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans forgiven.

March 2023: Mullin Spars with Teamsters President

In March 2023, Markwayne Mullin publicly sparred with Teamsters president Sean O'Brien in a hearing before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, even threatening to fight him.

2023: Mullin Did Not Disclose Stock Purchases

In 2023, the Campaign Legal Center filed a complaint with the Senate Select Committee on Ethics alleging that Markwayne Mullin had not disclosed nine stock purchases.

2024: Complaint Filed Against Mullin

In 2024, the Campaign Legal Center filed a complaint with the Senate Select Committee on Ethics alleging that Markwayne Mullin had not disclosed nine stock purchases in 2023. Mullin reported the purchases nearly a year later.

November 2025: Statement on Afghan refugees and Special Immigrant Visas

After the shooting of two West Virginia National Guardsmen in November 2025, Markwayne Mullin stated that Afghan refugees had been "dumped" into the United States on Special Immigrant Visas without sufficient federal programs to assist them.

December 2025: Mullin Invests in Over 30 Companies

In December 2025, Markwayne Mullin invested in over 30 companies in a transaction worth as much as $2.8 million, including shares in Chevron.

March 2026: Reported Private Security Work

In March 2026, Axios reported that Markwayne Mullin had privately suggested to colleagues that he was involved in private security work for the U.S. government in the Middle East.