Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) responded to widespread criticism over videos showing him during the Capitol riot with a link to his merchandise website, selling coffee cups depicting him, fist raised, on Jan. 6.
Hawley became the subject of criticism and mockery on Thursday after the House Jan. 6 committee showed videos of the senator appearing to run from the rioters after previously raising his fist to people gathering outside the Capitol in solidarity. His only public response so far appeared to be on Friday morning, when he posted a kissy face emoji with a link to his merchandise website.
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) July 22, 2022
When reached for comment, Hawley’s office did not have a statement on the line of mugs or on the video shown at the hearings on Thursday.
OFFICERS BEATEN BY RIOTERS ON JAN. 6 SLAMS HAWLEY FOR RUNNING FROM MOB
The mugs have previously been the source of controversy. In March, Politico sent him a cease-and-desist letter.
“The photo was taken by E&E News photographer Francis Chung. We did not authorize its use by the Hawley campaign for the purpose of political fundraising, which the campaign has been put on notice of by legal counsel,” Politico spokesman Brad Dayspring said in an email to the Huffington Post. E&E News is a Politico-owned publication.
Newly released video from the Jan. 6 Cmte. shows Sen. Hawley running away from the Capitol attack, hours after giving a supportive fist pump to the rioters. https://t.co/ZmH0lEwhoq pic.twitter.com/5Z7W5j7avO
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) July 22, 2022
Hawley’s campaign denies that Politico has sent any correspondence and maintains that he is acting in accordance with the law.
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Hawley has previously used negative publicity surrounding his role on Jan. 6 as a fundraising tool to great effect. In 2021, Hawley quadrupled his fundraising total from the previous year, according to the Kansas City Star.
