Senator calls for panel counter-inquiry

ST. LOUIS — Sen. Josh Hawley on Monday filed a “counter-complaint” against seven Senate Democrats who are seeking an ethics investigation of the Missouri Republican.

On Thursday, the Democrats asked the Senate Ethics Committee to investigate the actions of Hawley and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, “to fully understand their role” in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump.

A news release from Hawley’s office accused the Democrats of “historic partisan abuse of the Senate ethics process.” Hawley is asking the committee to investigate the Democrats and take any disciplinary action deemed appropriate.

Thousands of people gathered on Jan. 6 as Congress voted to formally certify President Joe Biden’s victory over Trump in November. Hawley and Cruz led objections in the Senate to Biden’s victory, despite the widespread recognition that the effort would fail.