“It’s only roughly 100 yards to the other side of the Capitol, but a lot of times we’re not talking like we should…”
Washington, D.C. – ICYMI, USA TODAY published the following piece crediting U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) as one of the five GOP lawmakers “who defined Trump’s first 100days.” The story highlights Mullin as “The Connector” with “a reputation for getting into the mix” in facilitating communications between his House and Senate GOP colleagues to “pass GOP priorities… as quick as they can.”
Additionally, USA TODAY reported on the senator’s relationship with President Trump, saying, “Mullin is also one of Trump’s closest allies in the Senate. He enjoys a strong relationship with the president, fostered through his personal connection and his public profile of defending Trump’s policies while attacking detractors.”
Read the full story from USA TODAY HERE with excerpts below:
Meet 5 Republicans in Congress who defined Trump’s first 100 days
By Riley Beggin | May 5, 2025
Markwayne Mullin: The Connector
Sen. Markwayne Mullin has a reputation for getting into the mix.
The 47-year-old Oklahoman is a former mixed martial arts fighter who tried to help Capitol police barricade the House doors during the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021; sought to rescue U.S. citizens from Afghanistan in an unauthorized helicopter mission as American troops pulled out of the country in 2021; and attempted to fight Teamsters President Sean O’Brien during a committee hearing in 2023.
Since Republicans took the House, Senate and White House, Mullin has taken on a new role as an informal liaison between the bodies as they seek to pass GOP priorities in the as quick as they can.
Mullin served five terms in the House before being elected to the Senate in 2022. He’s kept his finger on the pulse of the House GOP conference throughout the beginning of this year, attending their meetings and checking in with House Speaker Johnson.
“It’s only roughly 100 yards to the other side of the Capitol, but a lot of times we’re not talking like we should,” Mullin said in a brief interview with USA TODAY. “A lot of times, when we’re talking about things, it’s a misunderstanding. And when you can at least get that out of the way and just deal with the issue itself, then you’re able to get to a positive spot.”
Mullin is also one of Trump’s closest allies in the Senate. He enjoys a strong relationship with the president, fostered through his personal connection and his public profile of defending Trump’s policies while attacking detractors.
As Senate Republicans sought to keep their conference together on some of Trump’s more controversial Cabinet nominees, Mullin played a role in helping “open doors” for meetings between Hegseth and other senators. He was an advocate for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during his confirmation hearings and continued to support Hegseth as he came under fire for his use of Signal to communicate intelligence information.
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