Sen. Josh Hawley Faces Backlash from MAGA Supporters

Senator Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) is encountering criticism from his MAGA supporters after he sided with Democrats and a few Republican colleagues to move forward with a war powers resolution related to Venezuela, which appears to diverge from President Donald Trump’s stance.

A Senate vote is slated for Wednesday on a resolution aimed at restricting President Trump’s capability to initiate military action against Venezuela without Congressional consent. This is raising eyebrows and concerns among Hawley’s supporter base.

The procedural vote followed President Trump’s announcement on January 3 regarding a military operation in Venezuela that successfully captured dictator Nicolás Maduro and his wife. They are now in a New York City jail facing serious charges related to narco-terrorism and drug trafficking.

The operation was met with sharp criticism from Democrats who felt it was inappropriate for Trump to act without Congressional approval.

A few days later, on January 8, the Senate passed a bipartisan resolution with a vote of 52-47, which mandates the president to obtain Congressional approval prior to deploying U.S. military forces for actions in or against Venezuela. This sets the stage for a full Senate vote soon.

Hawley was among those voting in favor of this resolution alongside Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Rand Paul (R-Kentucky), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Todd Young (R-Indiana), which triggered backlash on social media from the MAGA base.

Former campaign staffer Alex Brusewitz expressed on social media that “Republicans who sided with Democrats… are stupid and weak.” He also conveyed his disappointment with Hawley for collaborating with anti-Trump factions, especially given his representation of Missouri, known for its strong pro-Trump sentiment.

Hawley defended his approach, emphasizing it as a constitutional matter rather than a direct critique of the administration. He stated that his interpretation suggests Congressional input is essential for any future military endeavors.

Fox News Digital consulted a seasoned Republican campaign worker who noted that Hawley has previously diverged from the administration on various points, likening him to prominent figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie, known for their consistent critiques of Trump and his policies.

The president will need two out of the five Republican senators to change their votes before the upcoming decision. Following the procedural vote, Trump signaled to these senators that they “should never be elected to Congress again.”

Trump’s sentiments echoed among MAGA allies on social media, branding Hawley as a “RINO” and suggesting his political career is facing challenges due to his recent votes.

When questioned on Fox News about his voting plans, Hawley mentioned he was in discussions regarding his apprehensions about deploying troops in Venezuela. He reiterated assurances he received that there would be no ground forces involved.

This isn’t the first time Hawley has faced Trump’s ire. Issues regarding stock trading proposals and domestic policy have already strained their relationship. Speculation surrounds whether Hawley might be positioning himself for potential 2028 ambitions.

Republican strategists are uncertain about the reasons behind Hawley’s choices, indicating that his recent actions may not align well with Republican voters, particularly in light of Trump’s successes in Venezuela.