Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley was the focus of a brutal editorial from the editors of the St. Louis Post Dispatch, published on the third anniversary of the Jan 6 insurrection. The paper’s editors sharply criticized Hawley for his role in sparking the riot.
Key player
As the editorial noted, Hawley was “the first senator to object to ballot results.” “Millions of voters concerned about election integrity deserve to be heard,” Hawley wrote in December 2020. “I will object on January 6 on their behalf.”
Rare attempt
Since the electoral vote objection process was put into law in 1887, it has only been used to force a debate twice, in 1969 and 2005. Such objections have never been upheld.
Unsubstantiated claims
Hawley’s objection was also rejected. In the three years since no evidence that the 2020 election was fraudulent has been produced, and courts have dismissed multiple lawsuits alleging such fraud.
Setting the stage
The editors of the Post Dispatch called Hawley’s objection the “damnable, self-serving stunt” that “made it necessary for Congress that day to debate the undebatable legitimacy of Joe Biden’s victory — thus providing a time-and-place target for the MAGA madness of Jan 6.”
Crowds gather
On Jan 6, thousands of MAGA supporters descended on Washington, DC. Founder of the right-wing group Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, tweeted at the time that he had funded “80-plus buses full of patriots” to send to DC.
Known events
“The rest,” the editorial continues, “is well-trodden history.” Trump told his supporters to “fight like hell,” then refused for hours to attempt to calm the increasing violence as right-wing rioters tried to storm the Capitol.
Murderous intent
Inside the Capitol, rioters were heard chanting, “Hang Mike Pence.” Some constructed a gallows outside. According to the New York Times, Trump reportedly said that the calls to hang his then–vice president were potentially justified because “the people were very angry” that Pence had refused to reject the electoral college results.
Instigating violence
Sen. Hawley was photographed pumping his fist in support of the crowds gathered outside the Capitol. Hawley has since used the photo on his website and $20 mugs despite legal action from Politico, the owner of the image.
Widespread criticism
Hawley’s gesture was criticized as instigating violence among the mob and led to Simon & Schuster canceling plans to publish his book. In a fundraising email promoting the mugs, Hawley’s team wrote that the cup was “the perfect way to enjoy coffee, tea, or liberal tears.”
Run and hide
After pumping his fist at the crowd, Hawley entered the Capitol to begin the joint session of Congress. Hours later, as the same crowd violently stormed the building, internal video footage captured Hawley running away through hallways.
Hypocrisy
“I swear this coward is always running from something,” Missouri Democrat Lucas Kunce said in 2023, announcing his intention to challenge Hawley’s seat. “On January 6, 2021, Josh Hawley showed us he’s a fraud and a coward,” Kunce posted on X, formerly Twitter.
One of many
Hawley was just one of 147 Republicans who voted in 2021 to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Their objections, which were described at the time by the New York Times as “highly unusual,” did not succeed due to lack of evidence.
Not over yet
“The story of Jan 6 isn’t over,” the editorial concludes. “Trump’s anti-democracy rhetoric has only grown more corrosive since Jan 6, including calls to jail his enemies, use the military against protesters and suspend the Constitution.”
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