How to become a laughing stock in two easy steps?
Just ask U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri.
The Arkansas-born lawmaker stood with protesters on Jan. 6, 2001, raising his fist in support and solidarity, firing up the crowd that believed the Democrats had stolen the presidential election from Donald Trump.
But it wasn't long before many of those same demonstrators breached the U.S. Capitol in an effort to delay Senate certification of the election. And in a video played last week at Congressional hearings into the incident, the fist-pumping Hawley is seen sprinting away, seeking safety from the invaders.
Those attending the hearing broke out in laughter. And it wasn't long before the Internet followed.
Hawley has carefully cultivated an image of bravado, that of a "manly man." Indeed, he has a book coming out next year called "Manhood: The Masculine Virtues America Needs."
He might want to rethink that title.
Now, it's hard to blame Hawley for hauling his rear out of the Senate chamber that day in 2021. Lots of officials did the same. No one knew what those who breached the Capitol were capable of.
But others didn't go from fist-pumping bravado, encouraging the crowd, to high-tailing it to safety not long after. It's the kind of thing that follows a politician for a long time. Especially one who is widely believed to have his eye on the White House.
Hawley might want to rethink that as well. His sprint may have already taken him out of the running.