Governor Mends Ties With Trump?
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt met with President Donald Trump at the White House this week in an effort to strengthen their relationship and discuss a major political decision that could shape Oklahoma’s representation in Washington.
The meeting comes as the state prepares for a possible Senate vacancy following President Trump’s nomination of Sen. Markwayne Mullin to serve as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
If Mullin is confirmed, Stitt will be responsible for appointing a temporary replacement to represent Oklahoma in the U.S. Senate.
Previous Dispute Between Trump and Stitt
The meeting follows tensions between the two Republicans that surfaced earlier this year during the National Governors Association (NGA) gathering in Washington, D.C.
Stitt, who serves as co-chair of the NGA, drew criticism from President Trump after comments about a governors’ dinner held at the White House.
Trump responded publicly on Truth Social, arguing that the governor had misrepresented the situation surrounding invitations to the event.
The president explained that nearly all governors were invited to the dinner, including Democrats, though he made clear the invitations were not extended enthusiastically.
Trump also accused Stitt of attempting to generate publicity by presenting the circumstances differently.
Governors Meeting Controversy
The disagreement grew after Stitt indicated that a bipartisan meeting involving governors from both political parties might be removed from the NGA agenda.
That decision came after reports that some Democratic governors would not be allowed to attend a White House event tied to the gathering.
President Trump later clarified that invitations had been sent to nearly every governor in the country. According to reports, only two Democratic governors were excluded: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.
White House Meeting Signals Reset
Sources familiar with Thursday’s meeting told Politico that Gov. Stitt raised the issue of repairing relations with the president during their conversation.
According to those sources, Trump appeared open to moving past the disagreement and focusing on upcoming decisions affecting Oklahoma and the federal government.
The timing of the meeting is significant because of the possible Senate appointment Stitt may soon make.
If the Senate confirms Mullin as DHS secretary, Stitt will need to appoint a temporary replacement to fill the seat.
Stitt Praises Trump’s DHS Pick
After the meeting, the Oklahoma governor publicly expressed appreciation for the discussion.
Stitt said in a post on X that he was grateful President Trump took the time to meet and talk about the importance of selecting Oklahoma’s next U.S. senator.
He also praised Trump’s decision to nominate Mullin to lead the Department of Homeland Security.
Stitt described the move as a strong choice and said he plans to act quickly when it comes time to name a temporary Senate replacement.
Possible Candidates for Senate Appointment
Several potential candidates have already been mentioned as possible replacements should the Senate seat become vacant.
According to reports, names being discussed include:
- Harold Hamm, an Oklahoma energy executive and major figure in the oil industry
- Dustin Hilliary, a senior adviser to Gov. Stitt
- Alan Armstrong, executive chairman of the Williams Companies board
The governor has said he intends to make a decision quickly once Mullin’s confirmation process is complete.
Oklahoma Law Limits Temporary Appointment
Under Oklahoma law, the person appointed by Stitt would serve only the remainder of Mullin’s Senate term.
However, the temporary appointee would not be allowed to run for the seat in the upcoming November election.
That rule ensures voters will ultimately decide who permanently fills the Senate position.
Stitt has also confirmed that he will not run for the Senate seat himself.
A Key Moment for Oklahoma Politics
The potential Senate appointment represents an important moment for Oklahoma politics and the Trump administration.
If Mullin joins the president’s cabinet, it would place an Oklahoma lawmaker in a powerful national security position overseeing border protection, disaster response, and homeland defense.
At the same time, Gov. Stitt’s upcoming Senate appointment will temporarily shape how Oklahoma is represented in Washington during a critical political year.
With President Trump continuing to assemble his administration’s leadership team, the decisions made in the coming weeks could have lasting implications for both Oklahoma and the country.
