The political knives are out in Oklahoma as Senator Markwayne Mullin fights for confirmation as Trump's new DHS Secretary while Republican colleagues circle like vultures over his soon-to-be-vacant Senate seat.
Mullin, tapped by President Trump to replace the controversial Kristi Noem at Homeland Security, now finds himself in the awkward position of courting Democrat votes for confirmation while his own GOP colleagues back home are already measuring the drapes in his Senate office.
House Representatives Stephanie Bice and Kevin Hern are among the top contenders eyeing Mullin's seat, according to social media chatter and Oklahoma political insiders. A tweet from @OKBusinessVoice revealed that "Names 'heard on the street' include Bice, Hern, Stitt, Drummond, Brecheen and Deevers" as potential appointees should the Senate vacancy open.
But here's where it gets interesting, Patriots. House Speaker Mike Johnson reportedly told Hill press that Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has promised NOT to tap a House Republican to fill Mullin's seat. As @Monaheart1229 tweeted, Johnson said "We can't lose anyone," while noting that "GOP Reps Bice and Hern are almost certain to run in the June primary."
This creates a fascinating political chess match. Stitt gets to make a temporary appointment, but the real battle will be in the Republican primary where Bice and Hern - both solid Trump allies - will duke it out for the nomination.
Teamsters Backing Trump's Pick
In an unexpected twist, the Teamsters union is reportedly backing Mullin's DHS nomination, giving Trump's choice some bipartisan labor support. This could help ease Mullin's confirmation process as he seeks to build a coalition beyond just Republican votes.
Meanwhile, Democrats are celebrating Noem's departure from DHS, viewing her tenure as ineffective. Some Republicans privately agree, seeing this as Trump cleaning house and putting a more competent operator in charge of our border security.
The question now is whether Mullin can secure enough Democrat votes while his Republican colleagues back home play nice until his confirmation is secured. It's classic Washington politics - smile for the cameras while sharpening the knives behind closed doors.
Will Oklahoma Republicans wait for Mullin's confirmation before the real Senate seat scramble begins? Or are we watching the start of an all-out GOP primary battle that could split Trump's coalition in the Sooner State?