Democratic Senators Ramp Up Calls For Cruz, Hawley to Resign After Capitol Riots

Senate Democrats are pushing for two of their Republican colleagues to resign following Wednesday’s riot at the U.S. Capitol building, claiming that their roles in challenging the results of November’s election helped to “undermine” democracy.

Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Josh Hawley, R-Mo., were vocal objectors during Wednesday’s counting of electoral votes, and now they are being urged to step down as a result.

“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,” Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., tweeted Saturday night. “They should resign immediately.”

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.

— Senator Tina Smith (@SenTinaSmith) January 10, 2021

Smith joins several other Democrats, including Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio; Patty Murray, D-Wash.; and Chris Coons, D-Del.

“Both @HawleyMO and @SenTedCruz have betrayed their oaths of office and abetted a violent insurrection on our democracy,” Brown said. “I am calling for their immediate resignations. If they do not resign, the Senate must expel them.”

In an interview with WBOC’s Cassie Semyon, Coons agreed with those calling for the Republicans’ exit.

“Yes, I think they should resign,” he said.