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Markwayne Mullin has recently taken the helm as the Secretary of Homeland Security, following a dramatic reshuffle where Donald Trump dismissed Kristi Noem amidst a flurry of controversies. Sworn in on March 24, 2026, Mullin’s tenure is yet to be judged on his professional acumen. However, the public and media have already turned their gaze towards his personal life, particularly his marriage to Christie Mullin, which has sparked some eyebrow-raising moments.
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In an incident from March 2025, Christie accompanied Markwayne, then serving as a junior senator from Oklahoma, on a subway ride to the U.S. Capitol. This trip was for a pivotal vote concerning Linda McMahon’s nomination as education secretary. The couple turned this mundane commute into a peculiar display of affection that many found awkward. Captured in a photograph, the Mullins were seen sharing a kiss in the subway carriage. While public displays of affection are not uncommon, the setting of a subway seemed an unlikely backdrop for romance, leading some to speculate about the authenticity of the gesture.
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This wasn’t the only instance where the couple’s public interactions drew attention. In June 2025, Markwayne shared a Facebook video commemorating their 28th wedding anniversary. However, the celebration took a self-congratulatory turn. “It’s a pretty special week for this lady because on Saturday she gets to celebrate … she’s been married to me for 28 years,” he boasted. He continued with, “I mean 28 blissful years for her right, babe?” asking Christie to concur with his narrative of their marriage.
After Christie hesitantly agreed, Markwayne pressed on, asking, “Wouldn’t you say that our marriage is better today than it was even 25 years ago?” He humorously claimed perfection before confessing it took a decade for him to mature, framing their story in an almost fabled light.
The Mullins are a little awkward
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Yet, amidst the awkwardness, there have been genuine moments of affection. Upon his confirmation as DHS secretary in March 2026, Markwayne took time to honor Christie and their enduring relationship. “I knew I was going to marry her in eighth grade,” he revealed, as reported by Koko News. He reminisced about their youthful beginnings, “But at 18, and I was 19, she agreed to marry me. I didn’t have anything. I was on a wrestling scholarship living in a dorm.” Despite humble starts, they faced life’s challenges together. “Regardless of what is in front of us, we always take it on as a family,” he affirmed. “I’m not scared of a challenge. I am scared of failure.”
After Christie awkwardly agreed, he continued, “Wouldn’t you say that our marriage is better today than it was even 25 years ago?” He also claimed that he’d been “perfect” before later admitting it took him 10 years to “grow up.” Yep — just like a fairytale!
With that said, it’d be unfair to ignore one of their less awkward moments. In March 2026, when he was confirmed for his role as the DHS secretary, Markwayne took a moment to celebrate Christie and their love. “I knew I was going to marry her in eighth grade,” he admitted (via Koko News). “But at 18, and I was 19, she agreed to marry me,” he continued. “I didn’t have anything. I was on a wrestling scholarship living in a dorm.” Despite their humble beginnings, they stuck beside each other. “Regardless of what is in front of us, we always take it on as a family,” he continued, adding. “I’m not scared of a challenge. I am scared of failure.”