The home-state paper of Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) is not holding back in expressing distaste with the senator.
“No one other than President Donald Trump himself is more responsible for Wednesday’s coup attempt at the U.S. Capitol than one Joshua David Hawley,” The Kansas City Star editorial board wrote, tearing into Hawley in a piece published on Wednesday.
The piece is titled, “Assault on democracy: Sen. Josh Hawley has blood on his hands in Capitol coup attempt.”
The editorial board continued to tear into Hawley for his objections to the election results. He was the first senator to say he would challenge the Electoral College vote in Congress. The piece came as Trump supporters, stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.
The Kansas City Star editorial board continued:
“This, Sen. Hawley, is what law-breaking and destruction look like. This is not a protest, but a riot. One woman who was apparently part of the pro-Trump mob was fatally shot by Capitol Police as lawmakers took cover. Some of those whose actions Trump encouraged and later condoned brought along their Confederate flags.”
They added, “Hawley’s actions in the last week had such impact that he deserves an impressive share of the blame for the blood that’s been shed.”
Statement from Senator Josh Hawley:
— Senator Hawley Press Office (@SenHawleyPress) January 6, 2021
Thank you to the brave law enforcement officials who have put their lives on the line. The violence must end, those who attacked police and broke the law must be prosecuted, and Congress must get back to work and finish its job
Hawley was vocal ahead of Wednesday’s joint session of Congress that he would object during the electoral college certification. He objected to Pennsylvania’s Electoral College certification on Wednesday.
The Kansas City Star also noted Hawley’s “uncharacteristically brief statement” put out thanking law enforcement amid the violence that broke out at the U.S. Capitol. The editorial board accused the Missouri senator of having a “key role in inspiring one of the most heartbreaking days in modern American history.”
He wrote in a statement, “Thank you to the brave law enforcement officials who have put their lives on the line. The violence must end, those who attacked police and broke the law must be prosecuted, and Congress must get back to work and finish its job.”
Hawley also told CNN, “I don’t think urging people to come to the Capitol was a good idea,” adding, “The responsibility of violent criminal acts is with violent criminals.”
