Fight Nearly Breaks Out Between GOP Senator, Union Boss

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), a former mixed martial arts fighter, and a union official almost got into a brawl during a Tuesday morning Senate hearing.

During the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing, Mullin approached Sean O’Brien, the head of the Teamsters union, regarding threats the union leader had made against the senator on social media.

O’Brien branded Mullin a liar, made fun of his height, and issued a challenge to fight in the post.

“Greedy CEO who pretends like he’s self made. In reality, just a clown & fraud. Always has been, always will be. Quit the tough guy act in these senate hearings. You know where to find me. Anyplace, Anytime cowboy. #LittleManSyndrome.”

During the hearing, Mullin read O’Brien a response to that post, pointing out that following their last conversation in a committee hearing, O’Brien became quite enthused about the keyboard and attacked Mullin multiple times on social media.

Mullin replied: “Sir, I wish you were in the truck with me when I was building my plumbing company; myself and my wife was running the office because I sure remember working pretty hard and long hours.”

Then he made the suggestion that the fight O’Brien was advocating for on social media might take place right then.

Following a furious discussion, Mullin leaped from his chair and reached to take the ring out of his hand before engaging in combat.

But Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) intervened to break up the altercation, scolding Mullin in particular.

“Oh, my god. Oh, stop it. Sit down. You’re a United States Senator. Hold it! This is a hearing. And God knows the American people have enough contempt for Congress, let’s not make it worse.”

Later on, Mullin—a former 5-0 professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter who had never lost—spoke about the event in a post on X, the platform that was formerly known as Twitter.

“In Oklahoma, if you run your mouth, you get called out. Period.”