Originally published on January 13, 2021 12:17 pm
U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley built a rocket-ship political career with a proud embrace of Trumpism and defiant nose-thumbing to anybody who had a problem with that.
When the Republican lawmaker made his way to the U.S. Capitol last week to challenge the outcome of the presidential election, he passed by a group of Trump supporters. He raised an energetic fist in the air. The crowd cheered.
Hours later, pro-Trump extremists breached the U.S. Capitol while Hawley and other lawmakers took cover. Ultimately, five people died.
The backlash against Hawley was sharp. His political mentor, former U.S. Sen. John Danforth, now says supporting Hawley was the worst mistake of his life. Top donors say they regret giving him the money to run for office. One told the Missouri Independent that Hawley is a political opportunist who helped incite the riot that overran the home of Congress.
AP
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., walks into the House chamber before a joint session of the House and Senate convenes to count the electoral votes cast in November s election, at the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan 6, 2021.
U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley built a rocket-ship political career with a proud embrace of Trumpism and defiant nose-thumbing to anybody who had a problem with that.
When the Republican lawmaker made his way to the U.S. Capitol last week to challenge the outcome of the presidential election, he passed by a group of Trump supporters. He raised an energetic fist in the air. The crowd cheered.