FACT CHECK: Did Josh Hawley Allegedly Threaten A Biden Aide With Jail Time?

Christine Sellers | Fact Check Reporter

A video shared on Facebook purports Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley allegedly threatened one of President Joe Biden’s aides with jail time.

Verdict: False

The video’s caption is inaccurate. The original video shows Hawley questioning Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm during a Department of Energy Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request Hearing, and at no point does he threaten her with jail time.

Fact Check:

Hawley called out Senate Democrats and accused them of trying to intimidate Supreme Court justices by forcing the high court to adopt stricter ethics laws, according to the Kansas City Star. Hawley alleged that Democrats would withhold security funding from the high court if it doesn’t do what Democrats want in terms of ethics, the Washington Post reported.

“‘THERE IS NO CLEAN UP’ Josh Hawley sends SH0CKWAVE accross the room with JAILTIME for Biden’s aide,” the Facebook video, which has been viewed 17,000 times, purports.

The claim is false. There are no credible news reports suggesting Hawley allegedly threatened Granholm with jail time. Likewise, the claim neither appears on Hawley’s website nor his verified social media accounts. In addition, Granholm has neither released a statement responding to the claim via her personal nor her government Twitter accounts.

The original video shows Hawley questioning Granholm during a Department of Energy Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request Hearing that took place on Apr. 23, 2023. Hawley does not threaten Granholm with jail time but instead addresses reports of radioactive contamination at Jana Elementary School in Florissant, Missouri.

During the hearing, Hawley mentions third-party testing that was conducted at the school. While an initial report from The Associated Press indicated radioactive waste had been found at the school, a later article published by the outlet said there was no radioactive waste following testing conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Following Hawley’s questioning, Colorado Democratic Sen. John Hickenlooper speaks with Granholm and also does not mention the purported claim made in the Facebook clip’s caption. (RELATED: No, This Video Doesn’t Show Josh Hawley Making Merrick Garland Cry At A Committee Hearing)

Check Your Fact has contacted Hawley’s office for comment and will update this piece accordingly if one is received.

Christine Sellers

Fact Check Reporter

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