Senator Josh Hawley Walked Off Stage After Pro-Palestinian Protesters Took Over His Interview
It was supposed to be a routine sit-down at the Axios News Shapers forum in Washington D.C. on Wednesday. Missouri Senator Josh Hawley was there for an interview with reporter Stef Kight when things suddenly went off the rails — thanks to a group of passionate pro-Palestinian demonstrators.
The disruption caught many off guard. As Hawley spoke, voices from the crowd quickly rose in protest. One activist shouted, “Josh Hawley cannot possibly care about people in this country because he is supporting a war of starvation.” That line cut right through the calm of the interview, turning what was a controlled discussion into a chaotic scene.
What Happened on Stage?
The incident unfolded live but quickly spread across social media after Newsweek posted a video showing the turmoil. While the camera focused mainly on Hawley and the stage, it wasn’t clear exactly how many protesters were inside the room. However, their impact was loud and impossible to ignore.
As voices grew louder and tensions mounted, Stef Kight, the interviewer, tried to steady the room. She attempted to regain control, calmly acknowledging the protesters’ passion but urging for quiet so the event could continue.
At one point, Hawley, clearly thrown off, tried to continue: “Am I the first one to, uh...” But Kight interrupted with a quick “First protest today,” signaling that the interruption was far from minor.
Seeing the situation escalate, Kight stood and gestured to Hawley, quietly saying, “All right, let’s leave the stage.”
Hawley, caught in the middle, asked, “Are you sure?”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. You can go,” Kight replied without hesitation, then turned back to the crowd. Addressing the protesters, she added, “We appreciate that people feel passionately about these issues,” before again asking for calm.
Despite her efforts, the protesters kept their voices raised, making it impossible for the interview to continue. Eventually, Kight turned to Hawley, who had stayed seated, and said, “Let’s go.” They exited the stage amid the noisy protest.
Who Were These Protesters?
The activist group Code Pink quickly took credit for the disruption online. Known for their anti-war and social justice stance, Code Pink described the protest as a call to end U.S. involvement in what they termed Israel’s “starvation and genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.”
They said activists inside the forum held signs that read “STOP STARVING GAZA” and “U.S. FUNDS GENOCIDE.” According to their statement:
“Today, peace activists with Code Pink disrupted Senator Josh Hawley during an open Axios News Shapers forum, demanding an end to U.S. complicity in Israel’s starvation and genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.”
What Happened Next?
Hawley and Kight did return to the stage after a brief absence. The Hill reported that their time offstage was short, though details on the exact length remain vague. When Hawley came back, the audience greeted him with applause.
In his usual tone, Hawley shrugged off the protest as “just another day in the Senate,” indicating that interruptions like this are nothing new in his political life.
His office, however, didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment on the protest.
Context: The Broader Conflict
This event isn’t happening in a vacuum. The conflict in Gaza has drawn intense global attention — including from major international bodies.
A United Nations commission has accused Israel of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court has gone so far as to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Amid this, U.S. support for Israel has been substantial. According to the Watson School of International and Public Affairs, following the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, the U.S. spent at least $22.76 billion in military aid to Israel in the year after. Congress has also approved additional multi-billion-dollar aid packages since then.
Where Does Hawley Stand?
Senator Hawley is known as a vocal and steadfast supporter of Israel. Over time, he has publicly condemned pro-Palestinian protests, especially those on college campuses, often labeling them as antisemitic.
This protest at the Axios forum fits into a larger national conversation that has been heating up for months — a debate over U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, humanitarian concerns, and the balance of power in the region.
Why This Matters: Key Takeaways
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Passion Meets Politics: The protest shows how emotionally charged the Israel-Palestine conflict remains, even in political forums far from the Middle East.
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Public Pressure on Lawmakers: Activists are increasingly willing to confront politicians directly, disrupting traditional political events to make their voices heard.
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Hawley’s Position Under Scrutiny: As a prominent Israel supporter, Hawley’s stance has made him a target for protests like these, spotlighting the tensions between his policies and some voters' concerns.
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U.S. Foreign Aid Is a Hot Topic: The enormous financial support for Israel draws criticism from activists, who see it as enabling alleged human rights abuses.
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Political Theater or Genuine Dialogue? The brief interruption and quick exit raise questions about how politicians handle dissent and whether they’re willing to engage with opposing viewpoints in meaningful ways.
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