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‘Roll The Tape’: GOP Senator Plays Astonishing Supercut Displaying Markwayne Mullin’s ‘Anger Issues’
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Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) played an astonishing supercut video of Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), President Donald Trump’s pick to take over the Department of Homeland Security, at the Oklahoma lawmaker’s Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday. (Watch video below.) At the start of the hearing to determine whether Mullin can succeed Kristi Noem as DHS secretary, Paul, who chairs the committee on homeland security, gave an explosive opening statement in which he condemned his fellow Republican for calling him a “freaking snake” and appearing to justify a violent assault against Paul in 2017. Paul also referenced Mullin’s 2023 confrontation with Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien during a Senate committee hearing when he rose from his seat as if he wanted to physically fight. The Kentucky senator asked Mullin to “explain to the American public why they should trust a man with anger issues to set the proper example for ICE and Border Patrol agents.” As the two Republicans continued to clash, Paul brought the receipts to expose what he called Mullin’s “pattern” of “anger issues.” “Let’s go ahead and roll the tape,” the Kentucky lawmaker said. The compilation included a clip of Mullin almost squaring up to O’Brien in the 2023 hearing, as well as interviews in which Mullin, a former professional mixed martial arts fighter, stands by his threat of violence toward O’Brien and explains his approach to fighting. “I’m not afraid of biting. I will bite. In a fight, I’ll do anything,” Mullin says in the clip. After the video ended, Paul asked the nominee if he thought “fighting as a resolution for political difference” was a good example to set. Mullin appeared somewhat contrite. “As you can notice, over my shoulder is my good friend, Sean O’Brien,” he said. “Both of us have shaken hands. Both agree we could’ve done things different. Sean is someone that has become a close friend. We talk all the time. I’ve been on his podcast. We’ve talked through this. That’s how you handle your differences. Not like this, chairman.” The Oklahoma Republican then went on to accuse Paul of “character assassination.” “Sir, I get it. It’s about character assassination for you,” he said. “That’s the way this game is played. I understand it, and you are making this about you.” Mullin has spent 13 years in Congress and become a close Trump ally. If confirmed, he would replace Noem, who was fired earlier this month, and lead the department in charge of the president’s sweeping immigration crackdown. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
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