Screaming match exposed as Markwayne Mullin's hometown newspaper defies staff's gag order

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin's “temperament” came under scrutiny Monday after The Oklahoman published audio of his “shouting match” with a former mayor — an exchange one Democratic operative described as a “meltdown.”

“The Oklahoman obtained audio of meltdown Markwayne,” wrote Danny Dabbs, a Democratic operative with American Bridge 21st Century PAC.

Speaking at an Edmond Chamber of Commerce meeting Monday, Mullin was asked by former Edmond Mayor Randel Shadid how he reconciled his Christian faith with mass deportations and the alleged physical abuse of migrants by agencies within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to The Oklahoman.

Mullin responded by shouting.

“You're not going to throw out Christian scripture to me and sit there and say that Jesus didn't say we should obey the nation's laws,” Mullin shouted.

Shadid was soon escorted out of the event by police, with the tense exchange underscoring, The Oklahoman’s Alexia Aston wrote, “the concerns about Mullin’s temperament when he was nominated to lead the Department of Homeland Security.”

Mullin has long received scrutiny for his “low impulse control” and “machismo” threats of violence. When tapped by President Donald Trump to head DHS earlier this year, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) played a video montage of Mullin’s emotionally charged behavior during his time serving as a U.S. senator, which included clips of the Oklahoma Republican threatening to fight someone and endorsing the idea of lawmakers engaging in physical duels.

Mullin has also faced accusations of stolen valor for giving vague references alluding to the “smell” and “taste” of war, despite being rejected by the U.S. military three times.

According to The Oklahoman, Mullin’s staff told press at the event that the event was “off record,” despite the Edmond Chamber of Commerce permitting journalists to attend the event and it being open to members of the public.

“A person who identified herself as a member of Mullin's staff approached a photographer during the event and said he was not allowed to publish anything from it, including the fact that Mullin attended,” The Oklahoman reported.