Fight Nearly Breaks Out in Senate Between GOP Senator and Union Boss

Tempers flare as Oklahoma senator challenges Teamsters leader Sean O'Brien to a fight, forcing Sen. Bernie Sanders to intervene.

Rep. Markwayne Mullin, (R-Okla.), speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill on Sept. 16, 2020. Alex Brandon/AP Photo

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) played referee on Nov. 14 as emotions boiled over during a Senate committee hearing.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) challenged International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) General President Sean O'Brien to a fight on Tuesday during a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing.

Mr. Mullin, a college wrestler and member of the Oklahoma Wrestling Hall of Fame, became confrontational after reading off a series of X posts shared by Mr. O'Brien. The posts, sent June 21 on the social media service formerly known as Twitter, referred to the senator as a “moron,” “clown,” and “fraud.”

“You know where to find me. Any place. Any time, cowboy,” Mr. Mullin said, reading one such post from Mr. O'Brien. “This is a time, this is a place. You want to run your mouth? We can be two consenting adults. We can finish it here.”

“OK. That’s fine,” Mr. O'Brien replied. “Perfect.”

“You want to do it now?”

“I'd love to do it now.”

“Well, stand your butt up then.”

“You stand your butt up, big guy.”

Mr. Mullin, who also won three professional MMA bouts in a regional circuit known as Xtreme Fighting League between 2006 and 2007, rose to his feet and motioned to remove his wedding ring as if preparing to throw a punch.

“Sit down,” Mr. Sanders said. “You’re a United States senator!”

“God knows the American people have enough contempt for Congress,” Mr. Sanders said. “Let’s not make it worse.”

Mr. Mullins took his seat, said he challenged Mr. O'Brien, and then “went quiet.”

“You challenged me to a cage match acting like a 12-year-old schoolyard bully,” Mr. O'Brien said.

Mr. Sanders stepped in again. He said Mr. Mullin was welcome to ask any questions about economic matters, but they were not convened to “talk about physical abuse.”

But the lawmaker and union leader resumed their argument, saying they did not respect each other. Mr. Sanders piped in again and told Mr. Mullin not to discuss a fight.

Mr. Mullin continued. He brought up Mr. O‘Brien’s 2013 suspension for allegedly intimidating union members, a 2014 allegation he was involved with the harassment and intimidation of a “Top Chef” film crew that resulted in the arrest of five Teamsters, and Mr. O’Brien’s 2017 recall from a position as the union’s lead negotiator for United Parcel Service Inc.

“In (2022) when this guy was elected, what he said ... was he wanted to bring a mob mentality back,” Mr. Mullin said.

Mr. Sanders interrupted again, asking Mr. Mullin if he had a question. Mr. Mullin asked O'Brien about a charity event in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in April.

“Grow up, will you please?” Mr. O'Brien said. “You’re an embarrassment.”

After more charged cross-talk, Mr. Sanders told Mr. O'Brien to address Mr. Mullin’s allegations.

“His statements are fiction at best,” Mr. O'Brien said.

One more time, Mr. Mullin proposed a date of April 30, 2024, and a location of Smoke & Guns, a charity MMA event held annually in Tulsa.

“You want to fight me?” Mr. O'Brien asked.

“What did you say about any time, any place?” Mr. Mullin replied.

“Let’s have coffee. Discuss our differences.”

“Let’s sit down and have coffee.”

“I'd love to.”

“It’s funny how you’re backing out.”

“I don’t back out of anything.”

Visibly frustrated, Mr. Sanders tried to intervene again.

“You should be the most influential people in this country,” Mr. O'Brien said. “You’re an embarrassment.”

As the two men called each other thugs, Mr. Sanders rapped the gavel, moving the hearing to the next senator.

Later, at the conclusion of the hearing, a calmer Mr. Mullin said he would take up Mr. O'Brein’s invitation for a coffee. He said his labor issues have nothing to do with unions. Instead, he believes in the concept of a right to work. The Sooner State became a so-called right-to-work state in 2001.

Shortly after the exchange, Mr. Mullin shared a post on his X feed, replying to a podcast invitation from conservative influencer “Comfortably Smug.” He shared a picture of himself racking a pistol slide while standing behind what appeared to be a truck bed loaded with ammunition, magazines, pistols, ear muffs, and an AR-15-style rifle.

“Let’s do it,” the post said. “Any place, any time.”