As Washington braces for President Donald Trump’s upcoming State of the Union address, a funding standoff in Congress has sparked accusations of political maneuvering rather than policy disagreement.
Appearing on The Joe Pags Show, Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) argued that the dispute over government funding is being deliberately framed to create a “partial shutdown” narrative ahead of the President’s February 24 address.
“What this fight is about, it’s not about preventing it. It’s about having a partial shutdown,” Mullin told Pags. “This is nothing but political theater.”
Democrats have warned that funding disagreements tied to DHS and border enforcement could disrupt operations. Mullin pushed back, saying essential federal functions remain funded and that the messaging around a shutdown is being weaponized to create optics unfavorable to the White House.
According to Mullin, the timing is not accidental. With the State of the Union approaching, he believes opponents want to project instability and claim the President cannot govern effectively—even as legislative negotiations continue behind closed doors.
The conversation also turned to Senate procedure and why major legislation continues to move slowly despite Republican control. Mullin defended Senator John Thurn and Senate leadership, drawing a contrast between current leadership and the previous era.
“John [Thune] is a very, very good guy. Good friend of mine. Somebody that the president has a great relationship with and he is light and day difference than Mitch McConnell,” Mullin said.
Still, Mullin acknowledged that procedural hurdles remain. Efforts to use the so-called “nuclear option” to bypass the filibuster face resistance from moderate Republicans, including Senators Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski. That internal divide complicates attempts to fast-track elements of the President’s agenda.
Pags also asked Mullin about Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and state officials. Mullin dismissed Ellison’s posture as political posturing rather than substantive legal debate.
“You can’t argue with crazy and you’re almost wasting brain cells engaging with him because you’re not going to have a logical argument,” Mullin said.
The broader theme of the interview focused on whether the current standoff reflects genuine policy conflict or a calculated messaging strategy. Mullin maintained that no federal workers are missing paychecks and that claims of widespread operational collapse are exaggerated for political impact.
With the State of the Union days away, the funding battle could shape both the tone of the address and the narrative heading into the next legislative cycle.
For Mullin’s full breakdown on the funding fight, Senate dynamics, and what he says is really happening behind the scenes, watch the complete interview on The Joe Pags Show.