Far-right freshman Congressman Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina has repeatedly embraced Christian fascism and white nationalism since his ascent to power.
In his efforts to promote the lie that the 2020 election was somehow stolen by Democrats engaging in widespread election fraud, Cawthorn has urged Christians to "take our country back" amid what he believes is a "spiritual battle." He's repeatedly referred to the Capitol insurrectionists as "political prisoners." He's foreseen "bloodshed" if elections continue to be "stolen."
Now, recent reports from Rolling Stone claim that Cawthorn, along with other far-right members of Congress, played an integral role in efforts to subvert the will of the people during the January 6 joint congressional session to nationally certify then-President-elect Joe Biden's victory. Cawthorn also spoke at the infamous Save America rally that day, calling on supporters to make their voices heard against the "cowards" in Washington, D.C.
Cawthorn's repeated smears against the integrity of U.S. elections have contributed to an erosion of faith in American democracy in those on the right, and now he's being called out for it.
Watch below.
I asked Madison Cawthorn why he won\u2019t stop attacking our democracy.\n\nHe was upset. Here\u2019s his response:pic.twitter.com/RgIc1pcf2A— Jack Cocchiarella (@Jack Cocchiarella) 1635121354
Cawthorn stammered before repeating further nonsense that state executive branches unconstitutionally overruled state legislatures on election protocols in a number of swing states—an argument that repeatedly failed in court in the aftermath of the election.
The exchange got people talking.
Constituents need to keep asking this question.https://twitter.com/JDCocchiarella/status/1452430346730053638\u00a0\u2026— Molly Jong-Fast (@Molly Jong-Fast) 1635129601
We need more of this positive activism if we want to preserve our democracy. Well done @JDCocchiarellahttps://twitter.com/JDCocchiarella/status/1452430346730053638\u00a0\u2026— Daniel Uhlfelder (@Daniel Uhlfelder) 1635194985
Madison Cawthorn gives a demonstration in The Big Lie.\n\nEverything he says here lost in court, badly.\n\nHe is a totally mainstream Republican.\n\nTheir party is lost.pic.twitter.com/KmmtqeRNM9— Grant Stern is fully vaccinated (@Grant Stern is fully vaccinated) 1635152904
We need much more of this. https://twitter.com/JDCocchiarella/status/1452430346730053638\u00a0\u2026— Jim Stewartson, Antifascist, #RIPQ \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udff4\u200d\u2620\ufe0f (@Jim Stewartson, Antifascist, #RIPQ \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udff4\u200d\u2620\ufe0f) 1635126362
Just bc some states LAWFULLY amended election laws ( we were in at the height of a deadly pandemic) doesn\u2019t mean their elections were fraudulent. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF WIDE SPREAD VOTER FRAUD!! Trump lost 60 court cases. Madison Cawthron is a liar, and an idiot.https://twitter.com/jdcocchiarella/status/1452430346730053638\u00a0\u2026— April (@April) 1635633556
Over 60 judges decided that Cawthorn\u2019s argument was wrong. \n\nBut he did go to college for a year (before dropping out).https://twitter.com/JDCocchiarella/status/1452430346730053638\u00a0\u2026— Roger Tansey \ud83c\udf0a\ud83d\udc15\ud83c\udf08 (@Roger Tansey \ud83c\udf0a\ud83d\udc15\ud83c\udf08) 1635256020
It also wasn't lost on people that Cawthorn cited the incorrect section.
.@CawthornforNC cites Article 2 Section 3 of the Constitution to falsely claim the election was stolen. Problem is that section has nothing to do with elections, it\u2019s about the President giving the State of the Union address.https://twitter.com/JDCocchiarella/status/1452430346730053638\u00a0\u2026— Pamela Brown (@Pamela Brown) 1635175809
Article 2, Section 3? Exactly *what* crack is Cawthorn smoking? It has nothing to do with state legislatures & elections, it's about presidential power!\n\nWell, we all knew Cawthorn was a dim bulb. He's just proving it.https://twitter.com/JDCocchiarella/status/1452430346730053638\u00a0\u2026— Lisa Boo-drowe (@Lisa Boo-drowe) 1635207183
Great way to confront him. He is full of he mutters Article 2 section 3 has nothing to with state senators being delegated authority of state election laws. https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-2/section-3/\u00a0\u2026https://twitter.com/JDCocchiarella/status/1452430346730053638\u00a0\u2026— David (@David) 1635208562
Sadly, to those Cawthorn is targeting with these lies, none of these refutations will matter.
