Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Josh Hawley

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Josh Hawley.

Josh Hawley is an American politician and attorney currently serving as the senior United States Senator from Missouri since 2019. A Republican, he previously served as the Missouri Attorney General from 2017 to 2019. He gained national attention for his role in challenging the results of the 2020 presidential election. Hawley defeated incumbent Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill in 2018 and secured reelection in 2024, solidifying his position in the Senate. He is known for his conservative political views and his focus on issues related to social conservatism and economic nationalism.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1988: Michael Dukakis's tank photograph comparison

In 1988, a Republican strategist compared Josh Hawley's fist salute to pro-Trump rioters to Michael Dukakis's tank photograph during the 1988 presidential campaign, criticizing Hawley for looking "phony and out of place and like a doofus."

2013: Views on Human Life and Birth Control

In 2013, Josh Hawley stated his belief that human life and personhood begin at fertilization, before conception. He also stated his opposition to forms of birth control that prevent conception "by preventing implantation of a fertilized egg".

May 5, 2017: Death of Tory Sanders

On May 5, 2017, Tory Sanders died while in custody in Mississippi County, Missouri.

October 29, 2017: Exposé on Untested Rape Kits Published

On October 29, 2017, the Columbia Missourian published an exposé describing a large backlog of untested rape kits in Missouri.

December 2017: Report on Greitens' Staff Using Confide

In December 2017, The Kansas City Star reported that Missouri's Republican Governor Eric Greitens and senior members of his staff used Confide, a messaging app that erases texts after they have been read, on their personal phones.

2017: Hawley Declines Murder Charges in Sanders Death

In 2017, Josh Hawley determined that those who had assaulted Tory Sanders had not intended his death and did not file murder charges, leading to criticism.

March 2018: Criticism of Greitens Investigation

In March 2018, six former Missouri attorneys released a letter criticizing Josh Hawley's investigation into Governor Greitens as "half-hearted".

August 2018: One Nation Commercials

In August 2018, One Nation ran commercials giving Josh Hawley credit for identifying the untested rape kit issue, a claim that was labeled misleading.

October 21, 2019: Hawley attacks reporter Greg Sargent

On October 21, 2019, Josh Hawley attacked Washington Post reporter Greg Sargent as a "smug, rich liberal elitist"; Sargent responded that he was raised in poverty. Mehdi Hasan argued Hawley's attack was antisemitic.

2019: Hutcheson sentenced to prison

In 2019, Sheriff Cory Hutcheson was sentenced to six months in federal prison for wire fraud and identity theft related to illegal tracking of some 200 private cellphone users.

June 2020: Criticism of Supreme Court's Workplace Discrimination Ruling

In June 2020, after the Supreme Court ruled that federal law prohibits workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, Josh Hawley criticized the decision, saying it "represents the end of the conservative legal movement".

July 10, 2020: Hawley criticizes NBA for Black Lives Matter support, Wojnarowski responds

On July 10, 2020, Josh Hawley criticized NBA commissioner Adam Silver for allowing players to put messages on their jerseys supporting the Black Lives Matter movement but not the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests. ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski responded with "Fuck You," leading to Wojnarowski's temporary suspension.

September 23, 2020: Hawley criticizes NBA's business in China

On September 23, 2020, Josh Hawley criticized Adam Silver for the NBA's business dealings in China, alleging the league prioritizes profits over human rights concerns such as slave labor.

December 2020: Announced Objection to Biden's Certification

In December 2020, Josh Hawley announced plans to object to the certification of Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 United States presidential election and led efforts in the Senate to do so.

2020: Revival of Interest in Sanders Case

Following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, interest in the death of Tory Sanders revived.

January 2021: Hawley States He Did Not Intend to Overturn Election

In January 2021, Josh Hawley stated he did not intend to overturn the election results.

February 2021: No Charges Filed in Sanders Case

In February 2021, Eric Schmitt, the new state attorney general, chose not to file charges in the Tory Sanders case.

2021: Actions on Transgender Rights

In 2021, Josh Hawley co-sponsored a bill to restrict transgender women's participation in sports and signed a letter that objected to Title IX protection of transgender students.

January 27, 2022: Pennsylvania appellate court ruling on election officials

On January 27, 2022, a Pennsylvania appellate court supported Josh Hawley's claim that Pennsylvania election officials had violated the state's constitution; however, this ruling was later overturned by the State Supreme Court, and the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case.

July 21, 2022: House Select Committee broadcasts footage of Hawley running from Capitol mob

On July 21, 2022, the House Select Committee broadcast video footage of Josh Hawley running through the halls of Congress to escape the mob on January 6, contrasting it with his earlier encouragement of the crowd. The video provoked laughter and commentary, including "Run Josh Run".

2022: Criticism of Ketanji Brown Jackson's Supreme Court Nomination

During Ketanji Brown Jackson's 2022 nomination to the Supreme Court, Josh Hawley criticized her tenure as a judge, saying she had a "pattern of letting child porn offenders off the hook for their appalling crimes".

2022: Accusations of Transphobia

In 2022, Josh Hawley was accused of transphobia after incidents such as his exchange with a law professor in a Senate hearing on Roe v. Wade, his negative comments about transgender people in reelection campaign fundraising emails, and a speech at the National Conservatism Conference.

March 2023: Tucker Carlson criticizes footage of Hawley running

In March 2023, Tucker Carlson criticized the footage of Josh Hawley running from the Capitol mob as "deceptively edited," while FactCheck.org found Carlson's statement misleading.

2025: Criticism of Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act

In 2025, Josh Hawley criticized President Trump's proposed One Big Beautiful Bill Act for cutting Medicaid coverage for working class families, calling it "both morally wrong and politically suicidal".