Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma denounced the leaked group chat messages of Young Republican leaders, saying that the language used shouldn’t be classified as jokes, breaking with comments made by Vice President JD Vance on the scandal.
Newsweek reached out to Mullin’s office via email Wednesday night for additional information.
Why It Matters
Republican Party leaders are confronting renewed internal and public scrutiny after the leak of offensive group chat messages by Young Republican leaders. The “vile” messages also come amid a period of heightened political polarization following recent political violence, underscoring urgent debates about the standards of behavior among rising political figures and the role of party leadership in enforcing accountability.
Vance has discussed political violence on the heels of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination last month.
What To Know
Politico recently published extracts from thousands of private group chat logs spanning months among Young Republican leaders from multiple states, including New York, Kansas, Arizona and Vermont. According to the news outlet’s reporting, the logs contained racist slurs, antisemitic remarks, misogynistic language and calls for violence, including references to rape and gas chambers.
Vance on Tuesday reacted to the report, posting comments to X that he shared alongside an image of leaked 2022 text messages from Jay Jones, Democratic candidate for attorney general of Virginia: “This is far worse than anything said in a college group chat, and the guy who said it could become the AG of Virginia. I refuse to join the pearl clutching when powerful people call for political violence.”
Speaking on The Charlie Kirk Show on Wednesday about the Young Republicans’ messages, Vance said in part: “The reality is that kids do stupid things. Especially young boys, they tell edgy, offensive jokes, like that’s what kids do. And I really don’t want us to grow up in a country where a kid telling a stupid joke, telling a very offensive stupid joke, is cause to ruin their lives.”
The vice president later continued, “We’re not canceling kids because they do something stupid in a group chat.”
Reacting to the messages, Mullin was also asked about Vance’s remarks on CNN, saying, “I didn’t hear … the vice president’s remarks, but I would never let my kids joke like that,” Mullin said. “That’s a solid no.”
“My grandfather fought in World War II. He went over on Omaha Beach. He saw the despicable things that the Nazis did to not just the Jewish people, but to other countries and other races along the way,” Mullin continued. “He went into a concentration camp.”
“So, it’s not room to joke for me. It’s a hard stop that you’re not associated with me whatsoever if you think that’s funny.”
Mullin also said that the response to the leaked group chat messages by Republicans versus Democratic response to Jones’ messages was a stark difference, calling it “a huge problem.”
“We hold our own accountable inside the Republican Party. We won’t allow that to happen,” he added.
The Board of Directors for the Young Republican National Federation released a statement on Tuesday, denouncing the messages in part as “vile and inexcusable language.”
What People Are Saying
Board of Directors for the Young Republican National Federation, on X Tuesday: “We are appalled by the vile and inexcusable language revealed in the Politico article published today. Such behavior is disgraceful, unbecoming of any Republican, and stands in direct opposition to the values our movement represents. Those involved must immediately resign from all positions within their state and local Young Republican organizations. We must hold ourselves to the highest standards of integrity, respect, and professionalism.”
Democratic U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, on X Tuesday: “Disgraceful New York Republicans Mike Lawler and Elise Stefanik have been palling around with these racist, antisemitic and bigoted ‘Young Republicans’ for years. Their silence exposes what’s always been true — the phony outrage was nothing more than performance.”
What Happens Next
Fractures in the party over response to the scandal are likely to shape both internal policies and public perception ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The Young Republican National Federation, state leaders and GOP officials have demanded resignations, but the long-term impact remains uncertain, particularly given Vance’s comments.