Attorney General shares philosophy of integrity with Rotary Club

When Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond comes to town to speak, he reflects a spirit defined by his background.

A seventh generation Oklahoman, highly decorated jet pilot, lawyer and successful businessman and now the state’s top legal officer, Drummond shared Thursday with the Greater Lawton Rotary Club the one connective thread that marks his character.

“I will maintain my integrity at all costs,” he said.

Drummond, the 19th Attorney General for the State of Oklahoma, was elected in 2022. Since then, he said he makes a point to tell people who he is and what he will do as opposed to simply “telling you what you want to hear” to get elected and then doing what he wants.

Some could use the term “maverick” regarding Drummond. It would be fair, with his top gun pilot background. When a young pilot, he said, he was given advice that connected with his Osage County upbringing and rancher background.

“Flying a jet is like riding a horse,” he said. “You feel it from here” as he brought his hands to his hips. It’s a very “seat of the pants” instinct.

Drummond’s stories of serving in the Air Force included a pair of humbling training episodes where he made some bold training maneuvers at the ages of 22 and 26 — before fully corporeally developed — that were witnessed by tourists. They led to some humbling lessons.

However, by the age of 28 Drummond was leading an attack into Baghdad, Iraq, during the Persian Gulf War. There was a moment that, he said, defined his character and his faith in doing the “right thing.” Returning from an attack, he said he was told to turn back and take out a plane. While calculating his range as opposed to the other plane’s range and determining what he needed to do to take it out, he realized he was about to destroy an allied vessel.

“Three times I was told to kill him,” he said. Each order came from a higher ranked officer with the third being from a general. He held the trigger.

Drummond returned to his base; the other pilot, a Saudi Arabian, returned to his camp. Upon landing, Drummond was placed in irons and arrested for disobeying a direct order.

Before he could be put behind bars, Drummond said, he was ordered released following a message of gratitude for him not shooting down a Saudi prince. It led to the 28-year-old receiving the Air Force Cross, the second highest military decoration for airmen who distinguish themselves with extraordinary heroism in combat.

“As you can tell, I don’t follow the rules,” he said. “As attorney general, I follow the law; that’s served me well.”

The lesson from it all is one Drummond said needs to be carried on to the next generations of Oklahomans.

“We teach our young people …” he said, “to do the right thing no matter what the cost.”

It’s that core belief that has formed the first 16 months in office, Drummond said. A Republican, he said he doesn’t answer to party lines or political donors, he has one group he represents.

“Four million Oklahomans are who I answer to,” he said. “It’s a delight to be your attorney general.”

Drummond was asked if he has intentions of running for governor. He expressed interest in the 2026 race but said his mission is focused elsewhere while in his job.

“I’m singularly focused on being the best attorney general this state has ever had,” he said.