On this week’s Hot Seat, U.S. Senator James Lankford joined Scott Mitchell for a wide-ranging conversation on what Oklahomans are worried about, and how Washington is responding—or not.
Lankford said constituents from across the country are both optimistic and uneasy. “There’s a lot of excitement that things are moving,” he said, “but then they ask: what’s going on with tariffs? With trade? With DOD cuts? Are they really shutting down what we think they’re shutting down?”
Many voters, he added, are craving more action, not just talk. “A little less talk, a little more action,” Lankford said, quoting Elvis. “DC’s been talking too much, not doing enough. Now there’s more action—but people still have questions.”
Tariffs, Trade, and Economic Anxiety
The top concern? The economy.
“People are watching tariffs closely,” Lankford said. “There’s real concern about how this could affect prices. President Trump sees tariffs as leverage. He’s saying: if you charge high tariffs on American goods, we’ll do the same to you.”
The broader strategy, according to Lankford, is to bring more manufacturing back to the U.S.—and tariffs are the stick intended to make it happen. But it’s a long-term play, and voters are feeling the short-term uncertainty.
Ukraine, Russia, and Global Stability
Asked about the war in Ukraine, Lankford didn’t mince words: “Putin is dragging his feet. He’s trying to take as much land as he can—especially the port of Odessa—to gain leverage before coming to the table.”
He said the best course of action is increased pressure on Russia. “We can’t just wait,” he said. “If there’s going to be a resolution, let’s make it happen sooner—with less loss of life.”
On NATO, Lankford strongly defended the alliance: “It’s the most successful military alliance in world history.” But he also backed President Trump’s calls for European countries to meet their defense spending commitments. “We’re doing our part. They need to do theirs.”
As for Ukraine’s potential NATO membership? That’s off the table—for now. “The NATO charter doesn’t allow membership talks while a country is at war,” Lankford said. “That discussion comes later.”
The “Big Beautiful Bill” and Domestic Deadlock
Shifting to domestic policy, Lankford addressed the massive reconciliation package moving through Congress—dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill.” It’s expected to touch everything from border security to tax policy, but uncertainty about tariffs and global instability is giving some investors pause.
“The House surprised a lot of people by getting it through,” Lankford said. “Now it’s time for the Senate to negotiate. The stakes are high—especially with so much economic uncertainty.”
