Red state's top elections chief arrested for public intoxication

Oklahoma is an overwhelmingly Republican state and, thanks to Trump choosing its former Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to be his new Secretary of Homeland Security, has often been in the news associated with President Donald Trump. Yet now the Oklahoma Republicans are in a distinctly negative light thanks to a DUI controversy.

"Oklahoma's Secretary of State, Benjamin Lepak, was arrested by Edmond Police on Friday," reported Oklahoma Fox 25's Colleen Wilson on Monday. "Lepak was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication."

Wilson added, "According to a police report, an officer found Lepak standing at the drive-through window of McDonald's shortly before 11 p.m. on Friday. Officers said Lepak had "extremely slurred speech" and could "smell an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath."

The journalist mentioned that Lepak was asked a number of questions by the police but was unable to coherently explain his story, which seemed to involve going to church and then trying to eat at McDonald's.

"Officers claim Lepak was unable to 'maintain a coherent train of thought as he spoke about the gathering, his kids at school, and his eating habits,'" Wilson reported. "Lepak allegedly told officers he 'got McDonald's, cause this is my night to have McDonald's.'

The police report states Lepak volunteered to get an Uber and later told officers he had a beer. Lepak then backtracked and stated he didn't finish the beer, according to the police report."

Wilson continued, "Police also noted Lepak drove to the McDonald's, but Lepak later claimed he did not drive to the location, despite his car being parked in the parking lot."

Lepak was appointed to his position in 2025 by Gov. Kevin Stitt, a fellow Republican who Trump turned on in February after he refused to rescind invitations to Democratic Govs. Wes Moore of Maryland and Jared Polis of Colorado to the National Governors Association's annual White House meeting.

Trump supporters have also turned on Secretary Mullin, who has been accused of being too soft on immigration by saying he supports legal immigration under certain circumstances.