Story perspectives

Mullin Defends $150 M Jets, Vows Airport Officer Pullout

6/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

Secretary Markwayne Mullin said he flies an $80 million Gulfstream G700 to ranch and does not pilot it.
He declined to sell the Gulfstream or a $70 million Boeing 737 MAX 8, saying needed for Coast Guard.
Mullin warned he could pull Customs and Border Protection officers from airports, disrupting travel, and dismissed Senator Chris Murphy’s maggot-care claims at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility as unfounded after an inspection found no violations.

History

Historical Context

After the Senate Ethics Committee’s 22-month probe of Senator John Ensign in 2009, the Senate tightened travel rules. Ensign resigned in 2011 following the investigation. Today, Senator Markwayne Mullin’s refusal to sell an $80 million Gulfstream G700 and a $70 million Boeing 737 MAX 8 revives those oversight concerns, suggesting renewed scrutiny of costly aircraft.

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Story summary

Secretary Markwayne Mullin said he flies an $80 million Gulfstream G700 to ranch and does not pilot it.
He declined to sell the Gulfstream or a $70 million Boeing 737 MAX 8, saying needed for Coast Guard.
Mullin warned he could pull Customs and Border Protection officers from airports, disrupting travel, and dismissed Senator Chris Murphy’s maggot-care claims at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility as unfounded after an inspection found no violations.

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