Donald Trump may be out of the White House but Sen. Josh Hawley's (R-Mo.) unrelenting support of the disgraced former president serves as an indication of how firm grip Trump's grip still is on the Republican Party. Now, Hawley is facing backlash for his latest defense of Trump.
During an interview with KTVO, Hawley weighed in on the forthcoming impeachment trial in the Senate. Although Democratic lawmakers do have substantial evidence to support their claims of Trump inciting the insurrection on the U.S. Capitol, Hawley still argues that the trial is "unconstitutional," reports Newsweek.
Hawley even went a step further insisting that the U.S. Constitution would not allow the trial even though it is moving forward. "The Constitution doesn't allow it," the Republican lawmaker said, adding, "The Constitution doesn't give the Senate the power to try and convict private citizens. I mean, it just doesn't."
He added, "Our founders made the choice not to do that, to limit the power of the Senate, and you can see why because if ex-presidents can be tried and convicted once they are out of office, my goodness, every time we have a switch in party, you're going to see now the majority party coming in and saying let's try the ex-president."
As reports about Hawley's remarks circulated on social media, Twitter users began firing back at the Republican lawmaker for his continued support of the president's attempted coup. One Twitter user wrote, "The problem with [Hawley] remaining a Trump lackey; is that he can't tell the difference between a conservative agenda and lapdog allegiance. Josh Hawley does not serve the Constitution, but his ego."
Do you think Josh Hawley prefers being called “Kid Hitler” or “Hitler Jr.”?
— Bryan Behar (@bryanbehar) February 9, 2021
Josh Hawley is the only Senator to vote against *all* of Biden's cabinet appointments (Mayorkas, Buttigieg, Blinken, Yellen, Austin, Haines, McDonough).
— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) February 9, 2021
The guy is unilaterally hellbent on ensuring that government doesn't work.
The problem with @HawleyMO remaing a tRump lackey; is that he can't tell the difference between a conservative agenda and lapdog allegiance.
— Lady S. (@Baroness57) February 9, 2021
Josh Hawley does not serve the Constitution, but his ego#JoshHawleyIsATraitor #BootJoshHawleyOutOfSenate https://t.co/I0xfSEC7R0
Twitter users' wrath comes amid Hawley's latest vow to vote against every one of President Joe Biden's Cabinet nominees — another decision that has led to backlash.
