The terrorists were not some floating, unaffiliated mob which sprang out of the earth without warning. They were 100% the product, the culmination, of years of right-wing lunacy, Republican-sown conspiracy and incitement by not only Donald Trump, but many Republicans in Congress. Senator Josh Hawley is definitely one of those people responsible for the terrorist attack on the Capitol. Hawley was the senator who started the “let’s object to the ratification of Biden’s victory and try to disrupt democracy.” Hawley is one of the many elected officials who has gone all-in on Trumpism. Before the siege, this was Hawley raising a fist in salute to the white supremacist terrorists who would lay siege to the Capitol a short time later.
Remember this moment: Josh Hawley expressing solidarity with an insurrection of domestic terrorists that he himself egged on by denying the results of a free and fair election to raise his profile for his own presidential run in 2024. pic.twitter.com/Q02z26fO3g
— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) January 6, 2021
Hawley’s hometown newspapers have taken note of his acts of sedition, and the editorial board of the Kansas City Star have excoriated him in an editorial:
No one other than President Donald Trump himself is more responsible for Wednesday’s coup attempt at the U.S. Capitol than one Joshua David Hawley, the 41-year-old junior senator from Missouri, who put out a fundraising appeal while the siege was underway.
This, Sen. Hawley, is what law-breaking and destruction look like. This is not a protest, but a riot. One woman who was apparently part of the pro-Trump mob was fatally shot by Capitol Police as lawmakers took cover. Some of those whose actions Trump encouraged and later condoned brought along their Confederate flags.
And no longer can it be asked, as George Will did recently of Hawley, “Has there ever been such a high ratio of ambition to accomplishment?” Hawley’s actions in the last week had such impact that he deserves an impressive share of the blame for the blood that’s been shed.
Hawley was first to say that he would oppose the certification of Joe Biden’s Electoral College win. That action, motivated by ambition, set off much that followed — the rush of his fellow presidential aspirant Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and other members of the Sedition Caucus to put a show of loyalty to the president above all else.
After mayhem broke out, Hawley put out this uncharacteristically brief statement: “Thank you to the brave law enforcement officials who have put their lives on the line. The violence must end, those who attacked police and broke the law must be prosecuted, and Congress must get back to work and finish its job.” So modest, Senator, failing to note your key role in inspiring one of the most heartbreaking days in modern American history. We lost something precious on Wednesday, as condolence notes to our democracy from our friends around the world recognize.
Among those Hawley got to emulate him was Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall, whose very first act as a member of the world’s greatest deliberative body was to sell out his country by attempting to overturn the outcome of a legitimate election. This revolt is the result, and if you didn’t know this is where we’ve been headed from the start, it’s because you didn’t want to know.
Yes to all of this. While it’s horrifying – unsurprising, but horrifying – that Donald Trump incited all of this terrorism, he had tons of help, mostly from reprehensible Republican dickbags like Josh Hawley. I just saw that there’s a move to disbar Hawley, which is a nice start. But he should no longer be a senator. He should be in prison for his role in inciting this terrorist attack.
Photos courtesy of Getty.
Don’t you mean “ostensible” hometown paper since Hawley doesn’t even have a permanent residence in MO? That alone should have prevented him from being seated as a US Senator.
That photo of him needs to accompany his name until the end of time. Although I’m sure the MAGAs are already having it painted by that crazy guy who paints Trump as a muscle-bound hero.
He (along with Trump and Cruz) absolutely did this. Unfortunately he owns it proudly instead of shamefully.
I didn’t know that Esmom! He doesn’t even live there? And they voted him in over Claire, wow. Well, it’s on the voters, as really so much of this is.
Missouri is the new Alabama.
Sorry to the reasonable folks that live in both.
I just love that the voters in Georgia gave a huge middle finger to the people in Kentucky that voted Moscow Mitch in again.
He’s registered to vote at his sister’s home in MO. He actually lives in Northern Virginia.
That photo should be on the cover of Time and the lead page of every newspaper. It should be etched into the history books. It is the image that defines him and the republican party.
Can the MO atty general charge him for that? If you don’t live there you can’t represent them. I wonder who can have him removed?
Arrest him. Along with the “objectors ” in the senate that, apparently, after the electoral ballots were whisked away during the assault, suggested the ballots from swing states be burned or shredded while they had the chance. Name them publicly and arrest them.
Thank God the Floor pages had the sense to grab the boxes with the EC paper votes and get them into a safe place! You KNOW they were going after them, to burn them. It has been reported that these seditionist WERE IN CONTACT with someone INSIDE the WH WHILE THIS WAS GOING ON!
I am 64 yrs. old, and I’ve seen a lot of turmoil in America. I have NEVER witnessed ANYTHING like this on American soil in my life. While there have always been greedy, amoral politicians, I have NEVER seen ones like this, that put PERSONAL greed, ambition, and power SO COMPLETELY over “country”. What we witnessed yesterday was something we’ve seen in countries trying to overthrow a despot/dictator. Yesterday, they were trying to HELP one stay in power. I just… I am STILL in shock.
Of course they had help from the inside.
It shook me to my core. How relatively easy it can all change. It’s historical accounts of the decline of great civilizations come to life.
Elected officials working from the inside to take down the democratic process blatantly and publicly to do what?……….seat an emperor?
The president of the US telling insurgents they are special people, go in peace, he loves them. Wtf??!!!
This is next level surreal and cannot go unpunished if there is any hope for a sane future. These are not just boomers who are blamed for their old, racist ways, soon to be dead. This is a new generation of scary.
@Just A Thought, more and more I am suspecting the same—ranging from law “enforcement” to administration. And beyond predetermined help, I am wondering how many officers were passive due to aligned beliefs. Otherwise, I just cannot fathom it unfolding as it did. And I shudder to think how much worse it could have been.
They do know that these papers were executed in triplicate right? The states have copies themselves? These people are idiots.
I live in Kansas City (on the Missouri side 5 minutes from the state line to KS). No question Hawley is reprehensible. The problem is that the state is mostly rural, save for the 2 big cities on either side – Kansas City and St Louis – which lean blue. So the article is probably not convincing too many that actually live in those rural areas and voted for him. It’s the smaller counties responsible for him and Gov Parson that need to be persuaded. I don’t know what it would take to turn MO blue again but I’m afraid this still won’t do it
My resolution is to research grassroots groups in southern and rural states who are invested in mobilizing voters who support progressive policies. Progressive policies are popular if (conservative) people can get over their prejudice against Democratic politicians! I don’t think there’s a silver bullet but what Stacey Abrams and other grassroots organizers did in Georgia is also being done by other organizers in various states. It’s a good place to start, imho.
You are correct.
I too live in KC ( on the mo side, plaza) This yahoo is new to politics and is a real black mark on our state. It appears he was anxious to make his presence known and raise money for his 2024 ambitions. I registered on Hawley’s site and here’s the message I left..
My guess is you didn’t anticipate today’s events, too busy pondering
your 2024 ambitions. Anyone paying attention could have predicted this violence. You have the distinction of getting this ball rolling. Show some
humility and resign!
That was well done and I hope it makes an impact. I don’t understand why so many people are so easily influenced by awful people and ideas. The human race is supposed to be getting smarter and therefore more logical, what is this sh#t?
Jackson, Cass, Boone, etc. make up the majority of the population. It’s our neighbors who are the problem, not just small rural cities.
St. Louisian here. There are a LOT of wealthy white Trumpers in the dense, more populated suburbs of StL. They are upset that headquarters keep living and they insist on continuing to scapegoat the AA population. The racial segregation in StL is unreal!
Re: St Louis
I have a documentary called “The Pruitt-Igoe myth” where they did a segment on a suburban neighborhood called “Blackjack”. I will never forget that pastor saying something along the lines “do we really want those people here, it wouldn’t be safe to walk in the neighborhood then”. He was supposed to be a pastor? What happened to love thy neighbor? This was in the 1960’s I believe.
The people he meant, like the people in public housing like Pruitt Igoe.
What I always found interesting about that documentary is how the govt paid to have that complex built but did not set money aside for its maintenance. The people paid their rent but the St Louis housing authority allowed the buildings to descend into a slum in the sky. Then they blamed the residents for their own shortcomings, the single mothers especially.
I loved that article. “We told you this would happen and you said we were being dramatic well GUESS WHAT?!”
I truly hope Hawley gets the repercussions he deserves. The base isn’t going to come to you Hawley. If Trump even knows your name he will forget it the second he is gone. And hopefully the people of Missouri will vote your ass out.
That article was powerful and very well written. The second to the last paragraph was brilliant. Well done.
I agree, this has been brewing for four years straight and trump and everyone around him either sat and watched or regurgitated everything he said but to those people that said this wouldn’t happen, they STILL don’t think this happened. Meaning, they don’t think this was MAGA, they think it’s ANTIFA and BLM posing magas. I read a piece yesterday about some republic rep that was being escorted out of the capital and she was STILL saying she couldn’t believe these were Trump supporters and that all of the ones she has met are all happy wonderful people and this must be ANTIFA infiltrating. Like even when they are witnessing it with their own eyes they still will not believe it. And has she met more then one trump supporter because the ones around my city and a lot of the ones I know are very angry people. Also, was ANTIFA posing as magas on Parler and other SM plate forms when they were planning all of this and the BIL once they are still saying will come??? ANTIFA is awful busy posing as all of these people online and then carrying out these plans.
Mo Brooks has tweeted out some nonsense that it was “fascist ANTIFA” um sir take several seats.
Shouldn’t they be so excited to take all the blame? It’s a revolution! As Elizabeth from Knoxville who got maced pointed out. Oh wait now that there are arrests being made and consequences for the insurrection, suddenly it wasn’t them.
Rep Cori Bush said (via twitter) she was introducing a resolution to expel members of congress who incited the insurrection and overthrow of our government.
I would love to see that happen.
Ilhan Omar is also drawing up articles of impeachment. The way I see it, it’s black women once again that are attempting to save this country from the monster it unleashed. Where are the other lawmakers? Yesterday’s insurrection was just the beginning. Though it was a turning point in that these people largely were allowed to go home with Nancy’s mail, potentially state secrets and who knows what else.
Yup.
Guys such as Hawley and Cruz will be remembered as silly little Trumpers and command no respect at all from anyone with an ounce of integrity. I have no doubt with time they will regret their actions in this affair, although they probably would not have the decency to admit it.
Josie Bean, I pray you are right but after the horrific events yesterday – I fear they will take advantage of the wave that is spreading. Legislators continued to back Trump after they feared for their life and saw what was done to the Capitol – and yet they backed the fire that ignited yesterday’s fire.
He needs to be expelled. A 2/3 majority is needed so I hope 16 or so GOP senators come to their senses and expel the guy
I know Mitt isn’t happy with him. He was boring holes into Hawley’s head yesterday
One of my friends said that Josh Hawley’s face screamed “I rape unconscious women behind dumpsters” ( and that she wanted to throat punch him) and it is just so frighteningly accurate.
Everyone should be afraid of this guy – a few republicans might be pretending to to admonish him now, but the bottom line is that this is exactly who they want on their ticket in 2024. Someone just as evil and hateful as 45, but younger and more media savvy, with a better vocabulary. Once Biden is sworn in (if it even takes that long), the right will magically forget that he was as much of an inciter as his orange messiah.
+1 to your last paragraph. He’s young, fit, physically attractive to some people and charismatic. He’s a younger less physically repulsive version of Trump. And he knows this. Hence why he’s trying to take the Trump base by doing this. If nominated, he has a genuine fighting chance to beat Joe/Kamala.
Yup. I said this yesterday — Tom Cotton has competition for that 2024 ticket. Hawley’s speech on the floor last night felt like a warm-up for his candidacy.
He should not be seated.
Cruz was also texting out fundraising appeals during this seditious insurrection.
It was also posted online.
EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. OF. THESE. TRAITORS. NEED. TO. BE. CENSURED. UNSEATED. INDICTED. TRIED. AND JAILED. for their part in this.
Amen.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Yes
YES. And Cruz, he is the most vile of the group. They are like the Hydra, when you get rid of one – another grows in it’s place. They all need to go.
Yes, Cruz is indeed the most vile.
There should be no hesitation in doing every single thing you said.
Absolutely right. And any of their colleagues who stand silently by or give them a pass need to be held accountable as well.
Of course he’s responsible in part. A reporter inside the chamber reported that when the Senators were informed that the mob was getting inside and they’d have to evacuate to a secured place, Mitt Romney shouted at Cruz and a few others “This is what you get.” It’s brutally clear who is creating this chaos and who is supporting it.
As Colbert said last night (paraphrasing)……….. “Why did you hide when they barnstormed the Capitol? These are your people; your comrades doing your bidding.”
There needs to be a replay of 1861 when those senators were basically kicked to the curb. Hawley needs to be hauled out and dumped out after his behavior before and after the siege yesterday. He was actually waving at them and encouraging them to come on over. He’s violated his oath, he’s not for the US, he’s for himself and the racists.
So excuse my ignorance (not being from the US), but don’t all reps swear to uphold the constitution? Or is it only the presidents who do that at their inaugerations?
And if so, what are the consequences of breaching that oath?
Removal, jail or a fine.
The first line of the oath the senators and representatives take: “ I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic”.
Obviously Hawley, Cruz, Graham et al were asleep during their swearing in ceremony.
Thanks Leah – seems pretty clear cut. If memory serves correct Biden has said in the past that he won’t go after Trump or his allies during his administration, so I guess they won’t go after Hawley and co. for their violation of the oath.
Hawley, Cruz and the the others should remove from office for engaging in a terrorist plot. That not only put fellow rep and senators, other workers lives in danger. The cops that open the door and let them in should be fired and prosecute for engaging in a terrorist plot. I am very scared trump and maga supporters have planned for next 14 days. Trust me if this was POC they would have NOT been allowed near the capital. They would have been tear gas, bullets, and beat downs if POC try to have a demonstrate in DC. There needs to be investigation of amount white supremacist that is serving in federal departments. The right wing politicians are saying one thing on Twitter and another on parlor. People pay attention to Fox, Oann, and Newmax and other right wing media they are going to try blame this on the Democrats.
I just want to point out that this Yale educated POS when he gave his little speech when the Senate restarted used “irregardless” in his speech, nice waste of an education.
I notice that too!
He’s also a grad of Stanford but cries that the coastal elites look down on the heartland.
The peaceful protesters who used washable chalk and left a copy of the constitution at his D.C. home were framed as defacing his property and called “scum.”
Projection, projection!
Yes he tried to make a big deal about it but got no traction. Used his wife and daughter.
I caught that ‘irregardless’ too. Yeah he can shove his Ivy League degree up his ass
Missouri is beautiful but people like him and his base are ruining it. I told my husband that there was no way I would retire there despite the beautiful and fairly cheap land.
Simon & Schuster was due to publish his book – The Tyranny of Big Tech, of all things – in June. They just cancelled it, because of his involvement yesterday. A small thing, and he may get it published elsewhere, but something.
A sliver of good news, great to hear after a terrible few days.