On Jan. 6, 2021, before a violent mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., was photographed raising his fist in solidarity with pro-choice protesters. -Trump that they had met. outside the security gates.
During a House select committee hearing Thursday night, the panel was shown surveillance video of Hawley running down a hallway inside the Capitol as rioters stormed the building.
Laughter could be heard in the hearing room as the committee showed footage of Hawley running.
He was also shown briskly walking with other lawmakers as they were evacuated shortly after the joint session of Congress convened to certify Joe Biden’s victory over Trump in the 2020 presidential election.
An image of Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., showing support for pro-Trump protesters on Jan. 6, 2021. (Getty Images)
Surveillance footage of Hawley running down a hallway inside the Capitol on Jan. 6. (House TV)
Hours later, Hawley was one of eight Republican senators to vote to overturn the results in Pennsylvania and one of seven senators to vote to overturn the results in Arizona. Counting members of the House, a total of 147 Republican lawmakers voted against certification, perpetuating the false conspiracy theory that Trump stole the election, which is now shared by most Republicans.
Hawley was criticized for his actions on Jan. 6 from both sides of the aisle, including being snubbed by his mentor, former Missouri Sen. John Danforth, who called Hawley’s support “the biggest mistake I ever made.” Hawley maintained his actions and did a great fundraiser for his efforts.
“I will never apologize for giving voice to the millions of Missourians and Americans who have concerns about the integrity of our elections,” Hawley said in a statement on January 7, 2021. “This is my job, and the I’ll keep doing it.”