Veteran GOP Senator Faces MAGA Backlash After Questioning Trump-Era Visa Policy
Senator James Lankford (R-OK), one of the Senate’s longest-tenured Republicans, is drawing fire from MAGA supporters after raising concerns about the Trump administration’s decision to revoke student visas in his home state.
In a recent local television interview, Lankford questioned the rationale behind the State Department’s revocations, saying officials couldn’t locate “any” disciplinary action tied to at least one affected Oklahoma student.
“Some of them, we understand, there were some discipline problems on campus,” Lankford said. “But there’s a couple students – I won’t name the school right now – but there’s a student that we can’t find any discipline problem that was an issue.”
The Trump administration, backed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has taken a hardline stance on foreign students participating in political demonstrations, especially those seen as showing “pro-terrorist” views. High-profile arrests of graduate students from Columbia and Tufts have further fueled the debate, with deportation proceedings underway.
Lankford emphasized that while visitors to the U.S. should “follow American law” and respect national values, fairness in the visa process is also important. “We’re asking the State Department to say, ‘Hey, help us understand this particular visa,’” he said. “I do understand if a student’s here they’ve gotta follow American law... But we want to make sure [when] they’re our guest we’re also treating them fairly in the process.”
His remarks didn’t sit well with some pro-Trump conservatives.
Popular MAGA influencer @catturd2 posted a clip of Lankford’s interview on X (formerly Twitter), adding the caption: “Primary this clown.”
Another user chimed in: “Oklahoman here and he’s the worst.”
Lankford’s immigration views have previously drawn scrutiny from the right. He was one of six senators to back a bipartisan immigration bill in 2024, intended to reform outdated processes. While the bill received support from centrist Republicans and Democrats, it was ultimately opposed by both hardliners like then-candidate Trump and progressives including Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
Critics slammed the legislation, claiming it “would have guaranteed 1.8 million illegal aliens could invade the nation before action would be taken.” One user wrote, “Who is this guy working for?”
Despite these attacks, Lankford easily secured reelection in 2022, winning over 67% in the GOP primary and cruising through the general election in deep-red Oklahoma.
Still, the political climate remains volatile. Figures like former Rep. Liz Cheney and ex-Majority Leader Eric Cantor learned firsthand how quickly party loyalty can shift. Trump himself has frequently urged primary challenges to Republicans he sees as disloyal — most recently targeting Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) on Truth Social after disagreements over a major spending package.
As the 2026 midterms approach, Lankford’s fate may hinge on how deeply Trump’s influence continues to shape the GOP’s future.