Missouri Senator Josh Hawley had a heated exchange with activists from the anti-war group Code Pink in the halls of Congress on Thursday. The confrontation took place while Hawley was speaking to a reporter about TikTok. Medea Benjamin, the head of Code Pink, confronted him about U.S. military support for Israel, recording the moment on her phone.
Hawley quickly recognized Benjamin and accused her group of being funded by the Chinese Communist Party. He said, "Oh, you’re the China people! You are 100% funded by the Chinese Communist Party." This accusation reflects ongoing tensions surrounding U.S. relations with China and the influence of foreign entities on American political discourse.
Code Pink is known for its strong anti-war stance and has faced criticism for its views on Israel and its ties to China. In a recent report by The New York Times, the group was described as part of a campaign promoting Chinese government interests, even defending China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims.
The exchange escalated as Hawley defended his support for Israel against accusations from the activists. Benjamin accused him of being a "baby killer" for supporting military actions that affect civilians in Gaza. Hawley shot back, saying, "You are anti-semite… pro-China, pro-CCP, it is disgusting." He continued to assert that Code Pink has blood on its hands for its stance on various issues, including the treatment of Uyghurs in China.
As Benjamin and another activist followed him, Hawley reiterated his views, stating, "You are absolutely morally despicable." He condemned their actions and expressed hope that they would be held accountable for what he called their moral failures.
The back-and-forth continued, with the activists challenging Hawley about his support for Israel and his political affiliations. Hawley accused them of being anti-Israel and pro-China, while they labeled him a war criminal and a baby killer.
This confrontation is part of a larger narrative in U.S. politics, where support for Israel and criticism of its policies have become increasingly contentious issues. Hawley has been vocal about his views on anti-Semitism and has previously supported deporting anti-Israel protesters from college campuses.
As tensions in the Middle East continue to flare, the debate over U.S. foreign policy and its implications for domestic politics remains a hot topic. Code Pink did not respond to requests for comment following the incident.