Overview

• Sen. Markwayne Mullin posted a video from the U.S. Capitol suggesting journalists would produce fewer 'false stories' if violence were used to resolve disputes.
• Mullin cited an 1890 incident where journalist Charles Kincaid shot and killed Rep. William Taulbee, which was later ruled as self-defense.
• The senator faced criticism for his comments, prompting him to backtrack and claim he was joking, also referencing 'bringing back caning' in a follow-up post.
• Mullin’s remarks come during a period of heightened political hostility and increasing verbal attacks against journalists in the U.S.
• Known for his confrontational style, Mullin has a history of aggressive behavior, including a near-physical altercation during a 2023 Senate hearing.