Josh Hawley’s misleading fact check – CNNPolitics

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After having been asked By CNN’s Manu Raju on Friday of rioters who thought the electoral vote could be changed – highlighting objections from Hawley and other Republicans – Hawley said: “I was very clear from the start that I was not trying never to cancel the election. “

The facts first: This is very misleading. In the nine weeks between the election and his votes to oppose the certification of Electoral College votes, Hawley made numerous statements suggesting that then-President Donald Trump could possibly remain in office and that the then president-elect Joe Biden would be inaugurated on January 20. was not a sure thing. If he was not “trying to overturn the election,” Hawley at least suggested that it could be a byproduct of Republican efforts.

One of the clearest examples of Hawley saying the election could be called off comes from a Fox News interview in early January.

On January 4, two days before Congress certified the electoral college results, Fox News anchor Bret Baier pressed Hawley on his goal by planning to oppose the certification.

“I just want to explain to you what you’re trying to do,” Baier said. “Are you trying to say that starting January 20, President Trump will be president?”

“Well Bret, it depends on what happens on Wednesday,” Hawley said. “I mean, that’s why we have the debate. That’s why we have the votes.”

Hawley’s office did not return CNN’s request for comment.

In interviews in December, Hawley repeatedly framed his analysis as saying “if” Biden becomes president, implying that the election results could possibly be changed.

“[I]f Joe Biden ends up being sworn in as president, “Hawley told Fox News on Dec. 1,” he should prepare for a rigorous vetting of every candidate. “
Hawley did not speak out against the lie that the election was stolen, but rather supported a Republican-led trial filled with false allegations of massive electoral fraud.



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