Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of St. Louis on Saturday to demand the resignation of Sen. Josh Hawley following the chaotic riot that took place at the Capitol last week.
Organizers around the city gathered, holding signs blaming the Missouri Republican for the violence that occurred. One group wrote “Resign Hawley” in large letters on a downtown street.
“As a member of the Senate, it’s unacceptable to foment sedition and be the first senator to do it,” Jordan Loeffelman, a 30-year-old St. Louis resident, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Another demonstrator, Peter Doyle, said he believes Hawley’s legacy may reflect poorly on Missouri.
“I had to come out today. I’m not generally a person who goes to protests, but I feel that he has really brought our state down poorly,” Doyle told KMOV 4.
Hawley was the first senator among a handful to announce he would object to the electoral vote results that were in favor of President-elect Joe Biden ahead of Congress’s special session on Jan. 6.
Though several took back their decision to object to the votes after the violence at the Capitol, Hawley kept his promise, adding that he wouldn’t apologize for his decision.
“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. “That’s my job and I will keep doing it.”
Hawley did condemn the violence and called for the prosecution of anyone who broke the law or attacked law enforcement.
A senator can’t be recalled but can be expelled from the Senate with a two-thirds vote of other members. Hawley was elected in 2018, defeating two-term Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill with 51% of the vote. He is up for reelection in 2024.
After Congress certified Biden in the early morning on Jan. 7, President Trump vowed for a peaceful transition of power to take place on Inauguration Day.
