Stolen Valor? Pat Ryan Calls Out Mullin Over “Smell of War” Comments

Ian Miller
Mar 8
2 min read

In a moment that’s already sending shockwaves through Capitol Hill, Rep. Pat Ryan, a decorated Army veteran with two combat tours in Iraq, didn’t hold back in calling out Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin for comments that critics say verge on stolen valor.

The controversy began during a Fox News interview last week, when Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican and former MMA fighter, described the horrors of war in vivid sensory detail:

“War is ugly. It smells bad. And if anybody’s ever been there and been able to smell the war that’s happening around you and taste it and feel it in your nostrils and hear it, it’s something that you’ll never forget. And it’s ugly.”

The problem? Mullin has never served in the U.S. military.

Veterans and political observers alike were quick to react. Among the sharpest responses came from Ryan, who didn’t mince words:

“Hey @SenMullin, what the actual f— are you talking about? Did I miss the part of your bio where you served in combat (or served in uniform at all??). Call of Duty doesn’t count.”

Ryan, a West Point graduate and former Army intelligence officer, highlighted a truth many found jarring: in the eyes of those who have actually faced combat, describing the sensory horrors of war without serving crosses a line.

Mullin later attempted to clarify, claiming he had performed “special assignments outside of the Department of Defense,” but he did not provide details, leaving critics unconvinced.

The exchange has ignited a debate not just about the boundaries of political rhetoric, but about respect for those who have actually risked their lives in combat. For Ryan and others, this isn’t just a political gaffe — it’s a moral misstep.

In a political climate where symbolism matters as much as policy, the question now looms: can a civilian ever truly describe the battlefield, or is that territory reserved for those who’ve lived it?

Battlefield vs. Ballot: Mullin and Ryan Side by Side

Name	Background	Military Experience	Notable Public Role
Markwayne Mullin	Businessman & former professional MMA fighter	None – has never served in the U.S. military	U.S. Senator (Oklahoma), vocal on national security issues
Pat Ryan	West Point Graduate, Army Intelligence Officer	Two combat tours in Iraq	U.S. Representative (New York), combat veteran, advocate for veterans’ rights

Key Moment: Mullin’s vivid description of war — “smells bad… you’ll never forget it” — prompted Ryan to call it “Call of Duty doesn’t count”, highlighting the gap between lived combat experience and political commentary.

Why It Matters: In a political era where optics and authenticity are everything, this clash underscores the scrutiny public figures face when speaking on subjects as grave as war. For veterans like Ryan, experience isn’t optional—it’s essential.