GOP senator’s pro-Hegseth tweet mocked with photo of him 'hiding behind a chair' on Jan. 6

Embattled Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is fighting to stay in his role in the midst of another texting-related scandal. And one Senate Republican's social media post defending him is being met with mockery and ridicule.

Hegseth is now being accused of including his wife and his attorney in a text message containing highly sensitive attack plans that were sent using his own personal device, rather than a secure government phone. The scandal has resulted in a call from within the House Republican Conference for President Donald Trump to fire Hegseth, though Trump has so far stood by the former part-time weekend Fox News host.

On Monday, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) posted a spirited defense of Hegseth to his official X account:

READ MORE: 'Totally unacceptable': GOP congressman publicly breaks ranks to demand Trump fire Hegseth

"I will lead the breach. I will lay down cover fire. I will take the high ground. I’ll expose myself to enemy fire to communicate," said Mullin, a 5'8" former mixed martial arts fighter who has never served in the U.S. military. "We must bring back integrity, focus, and put the Warfighter first inside DOD. I stand with @SecDef @PeteHegseth."

Mullin's tweet was amplified on Bluesky by Talking Points Memo founder Josh Marshall, who described the post as "thirsty as f--- on so many levels." He mockingly added: "I will fit the pipes," which appears to be a reference to Mullin's vocation as a plumber.

Progressive activist Evan Sutton also joined in and responded to Marshall's post with one of his own that included a photo of Mullin crouching behind a chair in the Senate chamber on January 6, 2021.

"Here's Marky Mark on Jan. 6, hiding behind a chair in the Capitol, scared of the rioters who were there because he and his buddies egged them on with lies," Sutton wrote.

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View the photo of Mullin below, or by clicking this link.