Josh Hawley

Seven Democratic senators refer Hawley and Ted Cruz to the Senate Ethics Committee, requesting investigation of their electoral objections, possible contacts with protest organisers and fundraising surrounding the challenge.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Democrats request emails in 2017 and 2018 showing contacts between the Attorney General's office and Hawley's political consultants. The office initially replies that no records exist. A Missouri court subsequently finds that the office knew it was required to produce records in its possession but decided not to do so, and sanctions the institution.

State of the evidence

Documented

Election reform organisations lodge a complaint alleging that the NRA coordinated nearly $1 million in spending supporting Hawley through shared contractors. The FEC subsequently votes that there is reason to believe certain in-kind NRA contributions to the Hawley committee violated the law and authorises investigative steps.

At a hearing following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Hawley asks whether abortion rights concern women; Professor Khiara Bridges replies that transgender men and non-binary people can also become pregnant. Their exchange goes viral and Hawley is accused of transphobia.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

Attribution

Directly implicated

Following complaints about NRA media purchases, the FEC had authorised an investigation after finding 'reason to believe' potentially excessive and prohibited in-kind contributions had been made to Hawley's campaign. The case is subsequently closed in 2022 amid divisions within the Commission.

State of the evidence

Documented

Hawley becomes the first senator to announce that he will object to certifying certain electoral votes for Joe Biden, citing rule changes in several states, potential fraud and the role of technology platforms. His initiative provides a procedural route for Donald Trump's efforts to challenge an election whose results had withstood numerous court challenges.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Entering the Capitol, Hawley raises his fist towards demonstrators gathered behind barriers. Following the assault on the building, the photograph becomes a symbol of the political role critics attribute to him in legitimising the movement challenging the election.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

After Congress is evacuated and then reconvenes, Hawley continues challenging certification of Pennsylvania's electoral votes. Critics consider that he persisted with an effort fuelling the narrative of an illegitimate election after that challenge had just culminated in an attack on the Capitol.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

The day after the Capitol attack, Simon & Schuster cancels publication of Hawley's book, saying it cannot support a senator associated with what it describes as a threat to the democratic process. Another conservative publisher subsequently takes over the project.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

Attribution

Political responsibility

Hawley argues that the left and feminism have disparaged traditional masculinity, pushing some young men towards pornography and video games. His remarks prompt mockery and criticism for unsupported generalisations and moralising about men's difficulties.

State of the evidence

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Legal status — source text

Not applicable

Attribution

Personally implicated

An audit requested by the Republican Secretary of State concludes that consultants paid by Hawley's campaign advised Attorney General's office employees during working hours and that Hawley used a state vehicle and staff for travel that was partly political or apparently personal.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

An FEC complaint accuses Hawley of delaying declaration of his Senate candidacy and using resources from his state committee to prepare a federal campaign. The FEC examines in particular the period when he claimed merely to be 'testing the waters'.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

In a speech at the National Conservatism Conference, Hawley attacks a 'powerful upper class and their cosmopolitan priorities'. The term 'cosmopolitan', historically used in antisemitic campaigns, prompts allegations of an antisemitic dog whistle.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

Attribution

Personally implicated