Sen. Markwayne Mullin's secret war zone past

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) has privately hinted to colleagues that he was involved in dangerous private security work in Middle East war zones before running for Congress in 2012, according to three people who have heard him discuss it. Why it matters: It's a mystery likely to come up Wednesday at his Senate confirmation hearing, where he will face colleagues as President Trump's nominee to replace Kristi Noem as Homeland Security secretary.

There's no public record of Mullin — a former professional mixed martial arts fighter who sold his family's plumbing business in 2021 — doing the kind of security work he has alluded to in private. But to former colleagues in the House, and on several other occasions, Mullin has suggested he did extensive and dangerous security work for the U.S. government, seemingly in a clandestine capacity. He hasn't mentioned it in any of his five runs for the House or his 2022 Senate campaign, according to media reports. It doesn't appear on any of his public websites.

What we're hearing: In at least one private meeting, Mullin, 48, has said he is careful not to mention his service in Afghanistan in public because of the sensitivity of the work.

To former House colleagues — where he served for 10 years — Mullin doesn't boast about his service. He has mentioned it in passing, offering few details. "He's just talked about his time overseas, like, you know, protecting our country without specifics," one lawmaker said. "He's not trying to bolster himself up. It was just sort of a matter-of-fact story," another lawmaker said. "He's very clear that he wasn't in the armed services." Both said they believe he spent extended periods overseas.

What they're saying: "Brother, you know that I can't — I can't talk about any questions like this," Mullin told Axios. "You've got to refer all your questions to the White House."

A spokesperson for Mullin did not directly address the senator's private suggestions that he served in war zones before his time in Congress. "Like many members of Congress, Markwayne Mullin has participated in CODELs in his official capacity to represent the United States abroad, advance U.S. national security interests, and strengthen our allied partnerships," the spokesperson said. "Over the years, prior to public service, Mullin did mission work and provided individual mentorship support — from a Christian perspective — to U.S. troops as they transitioned home, as well as trusted allies who have helped support America's interests." The spokesperson also mentioned Mullin's efforts to help American allies out of Afghanistan after the U.S. withdrew its forces in 2021.

Zoom in: Mullin has fueled some speculation about his time in potential war zones, saying on Fox News on March 2 that "war is ugly, it smells bad."

Democrats have accused Mullin of stolen valor. In a later interview on "The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show," Mullin offered a bit more detail: "I did special assignments outside of DoD," he said, adding that he "never wore the uniform or the flag on my shoulder." He said he worked "alongside" those who had signed military contracts, calling them "phenomenal individuals."

Zoom out: Mullin — who still works out in the House gym and carries himself like the 5-0 MMA fighter he was — cuts an unusual figure on the Hill.

In 2023, he challenged Teamsters President Sean O'Brien to a fight during a committee hearing. In 2021, Mullin tried to fly into Afghanistan to help rescue U.S. allies, reportedly getting into a shouting match with the U.S. ambassador to Tajikistan. He later told Fox News: "I'm not Rambo. I never pretended to be Rambo."