4 Years of Garbage Juice Podcast! Congratulations Markwayne Mullin - Newly Appointed Head of The U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Here are some interesting facts about Markwayne Mullin (the Oklahoma senator, former MMA fighter, and plumbing magnate). His first name "Markwayne" is a literal mashup: His parents couldn't decide between honoring uncles Mark or Wayne, so they slapped both on the birth certificate and never bothered to shorten it. He reportedly hated it as a kid because it got called out over the school PA when he got in trouble.He dropped out of college at 20 to take over the family plumbing business (Mullin Plumbing, aka "the Red Rooter") when his dad got sick. He turned it into a multimillion-dollar operation, later sold it to private equity for a big (undisclosed but likely hefty) payout while still holding a stake. He also owns a cattle ranch, wedding venue, real estate firms, and has dabbled in HVAC, septic services, construction, and even a steakhouse.As a former undefeated pro MMA fighter (5-0 record), he's got that cauliflower ear from wrestling days and was inducted into the Oklahoma Wrestling Hall of Fame. He still coaches kids (including his own) in tournaments. This "tough guy" persona came in handy—or hilariously not—when he challenged Teamsters president Sean O'Brien to an actual fistfight during a 2023 Senate hearing after O'Brien called him a "greedy CEO" on social media. Mullin stood up, said "stand your butt up," and invited him to settle it right there like "two consenting adults." Bernie Sanders had to yell "stop it!" to de-escalate.In a 2017 town hall, he told constituents complaining about taxes paying his salary: "You say you pay for me to do this. Bullcrap. I pay for myself." (He later got ethics scrutiny over his business holdings and salary overlaps while in Congress.)He benefited from about $1.4 million in forgiven PPP loans during the pandemic, then criticized Biden's student loan forgiveness plan—prompting the White House to point out the hypocrisy on Twitter.On Jan. 6, 2021, he helped barricade doors against rioters and witnessed Ashli Babbitt's shooting (which he defended as necessary). Later, he was fine with Trump pardoning many of those involved.He floated (half-jokingly?) that there'd be "less fake news" if we could still duel journalists like in the 1800s—referencing a historical case where a reporter shot a congressman in the Capitol.He struggled with fertility issues early in marriage (his wife had undiagnosed endometriosis), leading them to adopt twin girls after years of trying. They've got six kids total and have been married since high school sweethearts.Childhood challenges included clubfoot (requiring braces and surgeries) and a speech impediment—plus growing up as the youngest of seven on a rural Cherokee Nation-linked ranch.Possibly mor suited for the this role: Jack Bauer. Season 1: CTU Los Angeles Director of Field Operations. Season 2: Former CTU agent (reinstated/consultant). Season 3: CTU Field Operations Director. Season 4: Special Advisor to the Secretary of Defense (James Heller). Season 5: Secretive private employee (working in oil), later returns to aid CTU. Season 6: Returns to CTU after being released from a Chinese prison. Season 7: Independent consultant working with the FBI; CTU is dismantled. Season 8: Inactive, later helps CTU New York. Live Another Day: Freelance fugitive (ex-CIA/CTU). Overall, he's built a brand as a rough-around-the-edges, fight-ready conservative outsider who's not shy about getting physical (verbally or otherwise) in politics. Some see it as authentic Oklahoma grit; others see hotheaded antics. Either way, he rarely fades into the background! Donald Trump Bing Bong - Remix Compilation Visit our Patreon to find bonus material and episodes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
