Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) is facing expulsion from the Senate after contributing to Donald Trump’s incitement of an insurrection against the government of the United States. After weeks of braggadocio, Hawley is trying to walk back the claims he made about the 2020 presidential election, as well as what he repeatedly promised supporters would be the result of his and Trump’s efforts.
Sen. Josh Hawley is now claiming that he was never trying to overturn the 2020 election. Here are the facts: https://t.co/PaJsNoNTX6
— Ana Cabrera (@AnaCabrera) January 26, 2021
Hawley appeared on CNN for some real questions instead of Hannity’s totally agreeable softball ones. Hawley appeared to retract the statements he made about election results potentially changing as a result of his objections to the “voter fraud” invented by the former president who couldn’t accept his loss.
‘After being asked Friday by CNN’s Manu Raju about the rioters who believed the electoral vote could be changed — pointing to the objections from Hawley and other Republicans — Hawley said “I was very clear from the beginning that I was never attempting to overturn the election.”‘
Josh Hawley is looking to blame everyone but himself. pic.twitter.com/Cbp0j0NhEO
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) January 26, 2021
A fact-check does not bear that statement out. Throughout the objection to Biden’s win and the claims made by Trump about Republicans, Democrats, election officials, dead people, vote tabulating machines, and newsroom decision desks all conspiring against him, Hawley intimated many times about the possibility that the results, and a democratically decided election, could be overturned.
‘This is very misleading. In the nine weeks between the election and his votes to object to the certification of the electoral college votes, Hawley made numerous statements suggesting that then-President Donald Trump could possibly remain in office and that then-President elect Joe Biden being inaugurated on January 20 was not a sure thing. If he was not “attempting to overturn the election” Hawley, at the very least, suggested it might be a bi-product of Republican efforts.’
Josh Hawley led an insurrection against the United States and its first branch of government.
Article I, section 5 of the United States Constitution provides that "Each House of Congress may with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member."
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) January 20, 2021
CNN called up a number of interviews given by Hawley prior to the January 6 revolt against the Capitol Building in which he hinted to supporters that Biden may not be president on inauguration day because the Senate could debate and overturn it.
On January 4, two days before Congress would certify the electoral college results, Fox News anchor Bret Baier pressed Hawley on what his goal was by planning to object to the certification.
“I just want to pin you down on what you’re trying to do,” Baier said. “Are you trying to say that as of January 20th that President Trump will be president?”
“Well Bret that depends on what happens on Wednesday,” Hawley said. “I mean this is why we have the debate. This is why we have the votes…”
There were also statements made by Hawley suggesting that Joe Biden’s inauguration was not sure, and neither was his presidency.
‘During interviews in December, Hawley repeatedly couched his analysis by saying “if” Biden becomes president, implying the election results could possibly be changed.
‘”[I]f Joe Biden ends up being sworn in as president,” Hawley said on Fox News December 1, “he should prepare for hard vetting of every single nominee.”‘
There is no room in Congress for people who incited the January 6th insurrection like Ted Cruz or Josh Hawley. They must go.
https://t.co/icgNWYCM7e— Citizens for Ethics (@CREWcrew) January 22, 2021
Featured image screenshot via YouTube
