People are blasting Republican Sen. Josh Hawley, of Missouri, for asking law enforcement officials if they were “complicit” in the violent Jan. 6 riot he helped incite.
Hawley’s questioning came during a joint investigative hearing by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and the Senate Rules Committee, where senators questioned former Capitol police chief Steven Sund, former Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Michael Stenger, former House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Irving and Robert Contee, the acting chief of police for the Metropolitan Police Department.
Hawley, the first GOP senator to announce that he would challenge the election certification of President Joe Biden, in a move that was widely seen as motivation for the Donald Trump supporters who violently stormed into the building, asked each of the witnesses whether they felt complicit in the attack that left five dead.
Viewers were appalled and a furious response ensued on Twitter.
Sen. Josh Hawley calls claims that Capitol Police leadership appeared to be “complicit” in January 6 insurrection “disrespectful” and “really quite shocking.” pic.twitter.com/aEyRxV6RKb
— The Recount (@therecount) February 23, 2021
This Josh Hawley said that?
The one pumping his fist to the people that later tried to murder his coworkers? pic.twitter.com/YXNHOqYuIe— Xander Crews (@ArtAsylumGuy) February 23, 2021
This guy shouldn't even be allowed to ask questions! pic.twitter.com/DjDTDSK0Tv
— Trump for Prison 2021 (@chrisan51147433) February 23, 2021
Says the guy who raised a fist to the oncoming hoard, and objected to the election results he didn't like. What an obtuse hypocrite!
— Zora Renee (@Breezegrl) February 23, 2021
I can think of one other person who has zero reason or credibility to be leading any kind of inquiry into Jan 6 https://t.co/c7uHhgM5V0
— Asawin Suebsaeng (@swin24) February 23, 2021
Says the complicit instigator. 🙄
Is this guy for real? I think I could never be a politician because the blatant lies and political theater would drive me nuts.
— Patty 🇺🇸🇵🇷 (@xxnavygirl) February 23, 2021
Did he nazi the hypocrisy of his line of questioning? pic.twitter.com/wI4LizClcg
— Paul Leigh (@Pleightx) February 23, 2021
Considering Hawley was complicit maybe he has some insider knowledge…
— foul-mouthed stephanie 😷 (@fdhbstephanie) February 23, 2021
Josh Hawley, meet gaslight. Gaslight, meet Josh Hawley. You’re gonna spend some some time together for a while.
— Mad. (@stilljumping) February 23, 2021
That's right. @hawleymo was the one who was complicit!
— Miss Norma Jeane 🗽🩸 & 🦷 (@rosanthony3) February 23, 2021
Says the insurrection sympathizer
— The Real Pete (@sleepywaterbear) February 23, 2021
Enabler says what?
— Deep State Space Force Commander🚀 (@FPGarvin) February 23, 2021
this guy is shameless! He was the one supporting the insurrection all along! Missouri get rid of this lying POS!
— 🇺🇸Rachel👊🏻Resists🦅 (@rachel_resists) February 23, 2021