ICYMI: Mullin Reacts to Clash with Bernie Sanders, Denounces Socialism, and Iran on CNN

"As long as I feel like you believe in that flag, that it's the most beautiful flag in the world as I do, and not want to change it… I can get along with you."

Washington, D.C. - On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) joined CNN's Kaitlan Collins on The Source to react to President Trump's historic State of the Union address, stress the importance of a nuclear-free Iran, and unpack his debate with U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) during surgeon general nominee Casey Means' Senate confirmation hearing. Highlights below.

The full interview can be found HERE.

Additionally, a clip of Sen. Mullin's viral debate with Sen. Sanders can be found HERE.

On diplomacy in Iran running out of time:

"A nuclear Iran would disrupt the world economy, and our economy is tied to it. The president is not interested in regime change. If we wanted regime change, we could have done that during the 12-day war. The president said clearly, 'We know where you are, we know where your leadership is, and we can take you out-but we'd prefer diplomacy…'

"If removing the Ayatollah is what it takes to prevent the nuclear program from moving forward, that's not off the table."

On President Trump's State of the Union compared to Biden's:

"I thought it was the best speech I've ever seen him give. I texted him that. He showed compassion and contrast between parties…

"When President Biden was saying the economy was strong, inflation was [averaging] over 5%. Now it's 2.4%…

"So, the president came up with solutions. What Biden had was words. And what we had with Biden is a bunch of cheap words because we knew the economy was in a tailspin…

"Under Biden, many jobs created were government jobs. President Trump is bringing back private-sector manufacturing. Trillions have been committed to rebuilding manufacturing in the U.S. That's how you rebuild the middle class."

On Wednesday's clash with Sen. Sanders:

"Bernie and I don't see eye to eye. He's a socialist-I have no respect for that. Before Christmas, I had a bipartisan bill to give terminally ill children access to experimental drugs. Bernie blocked it because he prioritized his socialist healthcare agenda…

"As long as I feel like you believe in that flag, that it's the most beautiful flag in the world as I do, and not want to change it… I can get along with you."

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