Republican senator floats using violence against journalists who report 'fake news'

Main Idea: Sen. Markwayne Mullin drew backlash after suggesting on X that journalists would write fewer false stories if disputes were still handled with violence, then said he was joking after his remarks were reported.

Key Points:

• Mullin posted a video from the Capitol that referred to a 1890 case in which a reporter shot and killed a former congressman.
• In the video, he tied the idea to “fake news” and said reporters might write fewer false stories if people could still settle disputes that way.
• After the story drew attention, Mullin said he was joking and mocked the newspaper that reported on his comments.
• The senator, a close ally of President Donald Trump, has a history of combative behavior and once nearly fought a union leader during a Senate hearing.