From cage fights to Jan. 6, inside five of Mullin's most controversial moments - The Oklahoman

After firing Kristi Noem from her role as Secretary of Homeland Security, President Donald Trump has nominated U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Oklahoma, as her successor, effective March 31.

The businessowner and former professional MMA fighter has represented eastern Oklahoma since 2012, first in the U.S House of Representatives, then in his U.S. Senate seat since 2022.

He has maintained a large presence in national news broadcasts lately as he's backed the Trump Administration's immigration enforcement in Minnesota and the strikes in Iran.

Here's a look at five of Mullin's most notable moments over the years.

Mullin challenges Teamsters president to a "cage fight"

During a heated 2023 exchange on the Senate floor, Mullin told Sean O’Brien, the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, to “stand your butt up” and fight.

The senator stood up and adjusted his ring after referencing online exchanges, including a tweet from O'Brien reading "You know where to find me. Any place, any time, cowboy." Chairman Sen. Bernie Sanders diffused the tension, demanding that both men sit down.

Mullin approaches Capitol rioters at chamber doors

On Jan. 6, 2021, Mullin was one of two GOP congressmembers who confronted Capitol rioters at the chamber doors through shattered glass. Alongside Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas), the Republican from Westville helped police as they attempted to keep rioters out of the building.

In an interview with KJRH, Mullin described a group of rioters that broke away from the protestors: "They had evil intentions, they had evil in their eyes."

Tussle with Sanders at Surgeon General hearing

On Feb. 25, Mullin got into another verbal tussle on the Senate floor with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, during a confirmation hearing for Surgeon General.

A member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, the Oklahoma senator participated in the nomination hearing of Casey Means, questioning vaccine studies and healthcare affordability.

He described Ranking Member Sanders as a part of the problem saying, "You've been sitting here longer than I've even been alive."

Sign-snatching at the State of the Union

Last week, Mullin approached Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, who held up a sign reading "Black people aren't apes," during Trump's State of the Union address.

Widely circulated videos show Mullin attempting to wrestle the sign from Green as Trump walked into the chamber. After the event, Mullin accused Democrats of "political theater," and said he "cannot stand the man from Texas."

Mullin describes 'the smell of war' with recent U.S.-Israeli strikes

Mullin received widespread criticism after a recent appearance on Fox News' America Reports in which he described the "smell of war" when discussing recent U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, despite never having served in the military.

"War is ugly, smells bad, and if anybody's ever been there, and been able to smell the war that's happened around you and taste it and feel it in your nostrils and hear it, it's something that you'll never forget, and it's ugly," he said in the March 2 interview.

Mullin's commentary as a member of the Senate Armed Forces Committee came under fire from public scrutiny as veterans and peers such as Rep. Pat Ryan (D-New York) brought into question his military history.