Senator Josh Hawley has inadvertently become a viral internet meme after footage of him fleeing the Capitol riots was shared by the January 6 Committee during the congressional hearing yesterday, Thursday 21 July, when it was shown as a stark contrast to his famous fist-pumping snap earlier in the day.
The Missouri Republican was photographed raising his fist into the air outside the US Capitol on 6 January 2021, supposedly in solidarity with the protesters gathered outside.
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Speaking to The Washington Post in May 2021, he said: "I waved to them, gave them the thumbs-up, pumped my fist to them and thanked them for being there, and they had every right to do that.”
Later, of course, the angry mob would go on to break into the building in an attempt to keep departing president Donald Trump in power – at which point, it turns out, Hawley’s sense of camaraderie was faltering.
In yesterday’s hearing, the January 6 Committee revealed Hawley fled the Capitol building as it came under attack, sharing CCTV footage of him running away.
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Democratic congresswoman Elaine Luria began by first showing the photograph of Hawley with his fist raised.
“Earlier that afternoon, before the joint session started, he walked across the east front of the Capitol,” she explained.
“As you can see in this photo, he raised his fist in solidarity with the protesters already amassing at the security gates.
“We spoke with a Capitol police officer, who was out there at the time. She told us that Senator Hawley’s gesture riled up the crowd, and it bothered her greatly because he was doing it in a safe space, protected by the officers and the barriers.”
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Luria then shared a short video clip of Hawley making a run for it as rioters broke in.
"Later that day, Sen. Hawley fled after those protesters he helped to rile up stormed the Capitol,” she said, adding: “See for yourself.”
After seeing the scenes for themselves, the people of the internet did what they did best, and turned the short clip into a damning meme – some adding The Benny Hill Show theme song ‘Yakety Sax’ to the footage, others opting for the dramatic Chariots of Fire theme by Vangelis.
"Running Josh Hawley is a meme for the ages," one person tweeted.
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Another wrote: "Hysterical footage of 'tough guy' Josh Hawley running away from the same crowd he fist pumped. What a little wimpy noodle."
A third said: "Josh Hawley’s most well-known actions since becoming a Senator are now (1) fist pumping to a violent mob and (2) running away in terror from that same mob. That is how he is known by most Americans. Way to go, Josh. You’re crushing it."
And it seems the reaction in the room was incredibly similar to the amusement found online, with ABC reporter Will Steakin tweeting: "BIG laughs in the room as the committee shows Sen. Josh Hawley running in the halls of the Senate to get away from Jan 6 rioters."
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Jess Hardiman