Sen. Markwayne Mullin went off on democratic socialist Bernie Sanders during a contentious confirmation hearing for President Trump’s pick to be the new surgeon general Wednesday.
During a discussion of the Obama-era Affordable Care Act, Mullin (R-Okla.) accused Sanders (I-Vt.) and Democrats on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee of fighting to preserve an unsustainable status quo.
“Everybody we bring up here, you guys chastised for trying to make changes,” Mullin said in defense of Dr. Casey Means. “God forbid we change and try to fix our broken system.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders points towards Sen. Markwayne Mullin during a heated exchange on Feb. 25, 2026.
The Oklahoman then concluded his discourse by saying: “Anyway, I ranted too long.”
“Yes, you did,” Sanders responded, setting off the Republican again.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t ask your opinion on that, and if I cared about your opinion I would ask you,” said Mullin, 48. “But I don’t care about your opinion. You’re part of the system. You’re part of the problem. You’ve been sitting here longer than I’ve even been alive. This is your problem. You should have fixed this a long time ago. You’ve been railing on it for so long. What have you been doing?”
“I decided not to run for surgeon general,” said Sanders, who attempted to bring the focus of the hearing back to Means. “You’re the nominee.”
Mullin was attempting to return to the topic, he was cut off by Sanders, who said, “Yes, you did.”
“That is definitely something we would never accept,” Mullin told his colleague before resuming his questions to Means.
The exchange was quickly picked up by conservatives on social media, including from “Charlie Kirk Show” executive producer Andrew Kolvet, who wrote in a post on X that “things did not end well for the octogenarian socialist” after he took a “cheap shot” at Mullin.
“That’s what his commie supporters can’t figure out,” comedian Tim Young posted on X. “Bernie has been in office so long that he should have solved their problems by now.”
“Finally,” journalist Anna Matson posted on X. “Someone put Bernie Sanders in his place. He’s all talk and no action. He’s been in office longer than I’ve been alive and he has nothing to show for it.”
Mullin responded, “I’m sorry. I didn’t ask your opinion on that, and if I cared about your opinion I would ask you. But I don’t care about your opinion. You’re part of the system.” REUTERS“Swamp being DRAINED,” political and sports commentator Dan Dakich posted on X.
“HOLY SMOKES,” conservative journalist Eric Daughterty posted on X. “Sen. Markwayne Mullin just PUMMELED Bernie Sanders to his FACE.”
Mullin, a former mixed martial arts fighter, has a history of contentious moments while on the HELP Committee — famously challenging Teamsters President Sean O’Brien to a rumble during a November 2023 hearing after the two had sparrred on social media for months.
“Sir, this is the time, this is the place. You wanna run your mouth? We could be two consenting adults. We can finish it here,” Mullin said.
Sanders responded by sarcastically saying, “I decided not to run for surgeon general, You’re the nominee I’ve decided.” REUTERS“OK, that’s fine. Perfect,” O’Brien shot back.
You want to do it now?” Mullin asked.
“I’d love to do it right now, O’Brien said.
“Stand your butt up,” Mullin demanded.
“You stand your butt up,” O’Brien sneered.
As Mullin rose, Sanders — then the committee’s chairman — ordered the Republican to sit down, chastising: “You know you’re a United States senator.”
