What did Josh Hawley know, and when did he know it? House committee deserves answers

Almost exactly one year ago, Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri became the first U.S. senator to announce formal opposition to the election of Joe Biden as president.

It was a decision that shamed Missouri, and the nation. Now, a year later, Americans must understand Hawley’s role in the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol, and the effort to keep Donald Trump in office.

The Select Committee now investigating the insurrection should use every tool it has to explore Hawley’s role in the chaos.

On Dec. 30, 2020, Hawley said he would object to counting the electoral votes “from some states” on Jan. 6, the day that Congress was expected to certify the decision of the American people. He wanted a “full investigation” of alleged voter fraud.

There was, of course, no meaningful voter fraud. Biden won a free and fair election.

We called Hawley’s announcement “desperate and dangerous,” which may have sounded like hyperbole. In fact, we understated the case: Hawley’s announcement poured gasoline on the raging fire that led to violent insurrection at the Capitol a week later.

Hawley’s decision to raise his fist to insurrectionists on Jan. 6 drew national attention, and remains the defining image of his public life. But his Dec. 30 announcement was the first important step down this shameful path, and Hawley has yet to adequately explain it.

That’s why the Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack must disclose Hawley’s role in the events of that day, and the days leading up to the horror.

The riot may not have been a spontaneous event. We now know, through emails, documents and statements, that Trump’s supporters were actively involved in looking for alternatives to Biden’s certification as president. Memos and scenarios flew across the internet, including suggestions from members of Congress and other politicians.

Missourians must know if Hawley’s challenge was discussed with the president, anyone in the White House or on the president’s reelection team, or anyone else in the Senate or House, prior to its release.

The committee should seek Hawley’s text, email and phone records from the period, as well as internal office communications and memoranda. Hawley should voluntarily provide the documents.

Hawley should also be called to testify under oath before the Select Committee.

A Republican member of the committee, Rep. Adam Kinzinger, has said subpoenas for sitting members of Congress remain a possibility. Monday, the committee asked a sitting member of Congress, Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, to provide information regarding his alleged contacts with the White House.

To date, the committee has questioned more than 300 people, according to reports, and received 30,000 documents. It isn’t publicly known if Hawley is among those interviewed. If so, the committee should make his testimony public as soon as possible.

For months, Hawley has claimed his challenges were harmless exercises in congressional prerogative. If he’s telling the truth, he should not object to a full examination of his role in the insurrection. He should want to testify.

He should not, and cannot, be allowed to sweep his behavior under the rug. In a recent story in The New York Times, the senator declined to comment on the Jan. 6 riots, claiming he’s already addressed the issue “ad nauseum.”

We’re sick to our stomachs, too, every time that horrible day is replayed on television. The United States came within a few hours of a successful coup d’etat. Josh Hawley wasn’t an innocent bystander.

And this isn’t about relitigating the past. Insurrection remains a clear and present danger in 2024: Last week, three retired U.S. generals said they fear another attempt at a violent overthrow of the government.

“We are chilled to our bones at the thought of a coup succeeding next time,” the generals said.

The Senate Ethics Committee is allegedly exploring Hawley’s role on Jan. 6. Do not be fooled. Senators are terrible at holding one another to account.

The Select Committee, on the other hand, has shown an admirable bipartisan willingness to get to the bottom of what happened that day. We must know what role Josh Hawley played in the mayhem.

This story was originally published December 21, 2021 at 9:23 AM.