Dems Call for Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley To Resign

Senate Democrats want Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley to resign following the Capitol riot last Wednesday. They claim that the two’s actions incited protesters to storm Congress. The two led Senate lawmakers in objecting to the Electoral College results. Now, a lot of people are asking Cruz and Hawley to resign. 

RELATED: U.S. Capitol on LOCKDOWN as Trump Supporters Riot

Democrats Demand for Immediate Resignation

Democrat Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota tweeted Saturday night calling for heads to roll. “At a time of deep national division and in the midst of a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol, Senators Cruz and Hawley chose to undermine our democracy and feed the big lie that the election was stolen. They should resign immediately.”

Smith joins Senators Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Patty Murray of Washington, and Chris Coons of Delaware in calling for the resignation. Brown tweeted that “Both @HawleyMO and @SenTedCruz have betrayed their oaths of office and abetted a violent insurrection on our democracy. I am calling for their immediate resignations. If they do not resign, the Senate must expel them.” In a local interview, Coons agreed, saying “Yes, I think they should resign.” Murray also chimed in, noting that “[a]ny Senator who stands up and supports the power of force over the power of democracy has broken their oath of office. Senators Hawley and Cruz should resign.”

Meanwhile, incoming Finance Committee Chairman Senator Ron Wyden (Or) urged both Republican senators to step down. In a statement, Wyden wrote that “Every member of the Senate takes a sacred oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Upholding that oath is a matter of conscience. The behavior of President Trump and Senators Hawley and Cruz culminating in the assault on the seat of our democracy shocks that conscience.” Wyden said any senator supporting an assault violates their sworn oath. Consequently, they become unworthy to hold federal office.  In addition, Wyden said senators who foment a violent mob for personal gain must face consequences. 

Republicans Too

Some Republicans also censured Cruz and Hawley but stopped short of asking them to leave.  During NBC’s Meet the Press last Sunday, Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey said both Cruz and Hawley need “a lot of soul searching to do.” He noted both Senators were “complicit in the big lie, this lie that Donald Trump won the election in a landslide and it was all stolen.” 

In addition, some Republican Senators also publicly called the two out. Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska didn’t mince words and called their objections “really dumbass,” Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas criticized Cruz and Hawley for reportedly sending fundraising emails during the riot.  Senator Mitt Romney of Utah observed both senators are complicit, and people will see that forever. 

Cruz, Hawley Deny Allegations

Both Cruz and Hawley confirmed their objections to the Electoral College results. However, they denied endorsing the violent aftermath that happened. Both senators decried the violence which resulted in 5 deaths. Cruz and Hawley both supported calls to prosecute those who broke the law during the riot. Hawley saluted the officials for preventing further bloodshed. He tweeted “Thank you to the brave law enforcement officials who have put their lives on the line. The violence must end, those who attacked police and broke the law must be prosecuted, and Congress must get back to work and finish its job.”

Meanwhile, Cruz termed what happened as a “terrorist attack and “a horrific assault on our democracy.” Also, Cruz tweeted his reaction when the news reported that a DC Police officer died in the aftermath. He wrote “Devastating. Heidi and I are lifting up in prayer the family of the U.S. Capitol Police officer who tragically lost his life keeping us safe. He was a true hero. Yesterday's terrorist attack was a horrific assault on our democracy. Every terrorist needs to be fully prosecuted.”

Cruz Just ‘Following Procedure’

In addition, Cruz insisted he followed proper Senate procedure when he called for a Senate debate. He explained that “What I was doing is debating on the floor of the Senate election integrity. That has nothing to do with this criminal terrorist assault, which was wrong and needs to be prosecuted. It's exactly the opposite. What I was doing is how you're supposed to resolve issues in this country.”

View the Bloomberg Quick Take a video that reported that President-elect Joe Biden said Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley ‘Should be flat beaten next time they run':

Do you agree with the calls for Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley to resign? Also, are they responsible for inciting the crowd, just like what Democrats claim? Let us know what you think by leaving your comments below.