Your Vote Counts: Oklahoma's perspective on Trump presidency, Supreme Court tensions, and calls for political accountability

As President Donald Trump begins his second term, Oklahoma leaders are weighing in on his early actions and their potential effects on the state and the nation.

During Your Vote Counts on News 9, political analyst Scott Mitchell hosted House Floor Leader John Echols and former State Representative Jason Dunnington to share their thoughts on Trump’s inauguration, first 100 days, and the direction of Oklahoma politics.

Trump’s Inauguration and Promise to Deliver

Reflecting on Trump’s inauguration, Echols highlighted the importance of the oath of office and Trump’s commitment to keeping his promises.

“Inauguration was a big deal this week. I’m sure a lot of you watched it on TV,” Dunnington said. “Most important things about it: President Trump took the oath of office to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against both domestic and abroad. He took an oath of office to defend not just MAGA Republicans, but Democrats, all other Republicans, Independents, Green Party, whatever party you are, whoever you are that voted. It’s an oath in office. We need to remember that as we move forward, bring the country together, and do important things that are going to matter in all of our lives right now.”

Echols emphasized Trump’s reliability as a politician who follows through on his commitments. “The magic of Trump is he does what he says he’s going to do. In the age of so many politicians looking you in the eye and not telling you the truth, he does what he says he’s going to do, and he’s delivered on that so far.”

Trump’s Policy Agenda for the First 100 Days

Echols praised Trump’s swift action on key priorities. “He immediately went after DEI with executive orders. He got to work right away. We’ve talked about it on this show. I hope they hurry up, and I know the Senate—Markwayne Mullin and Senator Lankford—have talked about it: affirm his cabinet positions so he can get going. It’s a new day, and we have a president that is going to deliver on securing the border, trying to work on inflation. He does the things he says he’s going to do. More politicians should take notice of that.”

Dunnington weighed in on Trump’s plans, particularly his proposal for tax cuts and their implications for Oklahoma. “I think one of the things that’s going to affect Oklahoma a lot in this first 100 days is I do think he’s going to push forward on those tax cuts. But remember, we only have so much money. And right now, it’s not much. The only way that Trump’s going to be able to pay for those tax cuts is to pull back a lot of that money that was in the IRA, the Inflation Reduction Act, as well as the Build Back Better Act.”

Dunnington warned that this could jeopardize funding for critical projects in the state. “That money was to expand broadband in places like Oklahoma. There was a couple billion dollars for infrastructure projects in Oklahoma—roads, bridges, things in the cities. That money and executive order has already been halted. I’m not sure that money gets released again if we do the tax cuts. So Oklahomans might have to choose which one they want.

Oklahoma’s Supreme Court Ruling Highlights Political Friction

The conversation shifted to state-level politics, specifically a recent Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling involving Governor Kevin Stitt and Attorney General Gentner Drummond. The court ruled in favor of Stitt’s ability to hire outside counsel in a tribal compacting case, a decision that reflects ongoing tensions between the two offices.

“This was a strange one, but the governor won a case,” Dunnington said. “And in that case, it says that the Supreme Court says that he can hire an attorney outside of what our attorney general would be. Some of you at home are puzzled and scratching your head, like, ‘Why would we need another attorney when we have an elected attorney general?’ You’re like me. But I think this is some of that friction between those two offices. I think this is more about Gentner Drummond and Governor Stitt and the beef that they have with one another right now.”

Echols agreed that the state needs more unity at the highest levels. “At the end of the day, what we’ve got to do is find a way to come together. The case itself deals with how we’re going to handle tribal compacting issues between our sovereign nations and the state of Oklahoma. And that’s really, at the end of the day, the issue. I don’t care who wins between Governor Stitt and Attorney General Drummond. I care about what’s best for the citizens of the state of Oklahoma. And I know they both do, too.”

Accountability in Public Office

The panelists also addressed the need for better accountability and behavior from elected officials. Echols expressed frustration with ongoing ethical lapses.

"Public officials are no different. They’re a position of public trust. If anything, they should be held to a higher standard. As a matter of fact, when I was in the legislature, I had to carry on the floor censures of members of my own party. Extremely disappointed with what happened with Senator Goodwin.”

Echols added his plea to politicians statewide.

“If you’re an elected official, that position doesn’t belong to you. You are a steward of the people for a season. Stop acting like you’re above everyone else. If anything, you are a servant and you should be held to a higher standard. It can be done. I did it for 12 years. My colleague did it without any type of embarrassment.”

A Call for Better Leadership

As the session concluded, Dunnington summarized the frustration felt by many Oklahomans. “When the public continues to lose faith in their elected officials, it brings down the entire system because when there’s no trust that those that are duly elected are going to make the right decision for you and your family and your community, when that trust is gone, then we’ve lost what’s great about the United States, what’s great about Oklahoma.”