Kristen Welker Grills Sen. Mullin Over Elon Musk-Backed Federal Job Cuts in Oklahoma

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Alex Bollinger
February 24, 2025
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9 minutes read

(Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

NBC host Kristen Welker and Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) clashed over widespread federal job cuts during a heated exchange on Meet the Press, with the Oklahoma senator defending the layoffs as necessary reforms.

The discussion revolved around Elon Musk’s reported influence over President Donald Trump’s administration, which led to thousands of federal job slashes across the country. Welker pressed Mullin on the direct impact of these cuts in his home state.

“Here are some recent headlines in your home state of Oklahoma,” Welker began. “Federal layoffs felt across Indigenous communities in Oklahoma.” She continued listing economic concerns: “Oklahoma University president says the National Institutes of Health funding cut would severely impact university research.”

“Thousands of Oklahoma veterans and caregivers struggle amid cuts to VA,” she added, highlighting protests across the country. When asked for his response to Oklahomans affected by the job losses, Mullin dismissed the criticism, claiming Democrats were behind the protests.

“But what about the headlines in your state?” Welker pushed back. Mullin defended the cuts, insisting that a “reset” was necessary. “There has to be a reset. It has been abused,” he replied. “So if you want to start talking about actual cuts, what Oklahomans want is to make sure that we rid or we get rid of the waste and fraud inside the federal government.

And that’s exactly what the president’s done.” Welker countered, pointing out that no concrete proof of fraud had been provided. “But talk to the people in Oklahoma who’ve lost their jobs, who say they are hurting,” she urged. “They don’t know how they’re going to pay their mortgage. They don’t know how they’re going to make ends meet.

Talk to those people… They say enough of these cuts.” Mullin responded, arguing that job losses were an unfortunate but necessary part of budget cuts. “I don’t want anybody to lose their job,” he said. “Cuts had to take place. And every business owner understands this. Every business owner understands that you have to get your house in order before you can advance.”

Mullin also defended Musk’s involvement in advising the government on federal spending reductions. “Elon Musk is the United States consultant right now,” he said. “He’s, he is literally the, the, the, the best entrepreneur we’ve had in our lifetime, and he’s doing it for free.” Mullin insisted that Musk was providing an unbiased perspective, stating, “He’s taking an unbiased look saying these programs make no sense.”

The debate underscores the ongoing controversy over sweeping federal layoffs and the growing role of private sector figures like Musk in government decision-making. While supporters argue that the job cuts eliminate wasteful spending, critics warn they are harming ordinary Americans who depend on federal programs.