WATCH Tom Cotton Throw Major Shade At Josh Hawley During A Debate On NATO Expansion

It’s beginning to look like Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) is becoming persona non grata with some of his Senate colleagues, even those on his side of the aisle who used to agree with him.

Was it Hawley’s willingness to overturn the 2020 election or the fact that he got caught running like a scared little boy when rioters attacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021? Whatever the reason, there seems to be a minor tectonic shift taking place among Senate Republicans.

For example, during floor debate Wednesday on Finland and Sweden being admitted into the NATO alliance, Hawley stood up and urged his colleagues to vote against NATO expansion.

That didn’t sit well with Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), who did everything but call Hawley out by name, commenting:

“How could one disagree? After all, the last countries to join NATO — Montenegro and North Macedonia — were each approved by the Senate with only two ‘no’ votes.”

Cotton argued that Finland and Sweden are just as deserving as previous NATO members, noting:

“Let’s be honest. Who can oppose the much stronger cases for Finland and Sweden, countries that are far larger, far more capable and far more strategically situated?”

And then Cotton directed his comments at Hawley without even saying his name:

“It would be strange indeed for any senator who voted to allow Montenegro or North Macedonia into NATO to turn around and deny membership to Finland and Sweden.

“I would love to hear the defense of such a curious vote.”

It may surprise you to learn that this isn’t the first time Cotton has been critical of Hawley, as KATV reported two days after the Capitol riots:

“You had some senators who, for political advantage, were giving false hope to their supporters, misleading them into thinking that somehow yesterday’s actions in Congress could reverse the results of the election or even get some kind of emergency audit of the election results,” Cotton said. “That was never going to happen.”

Could there be a rift developing in the GOP, or is Cotton merely trying to damage Hawley as soon as possible since both are considered possible presidential contenders in 2024? Whatever the reason, let’s hope it continues and weakens the Republican Party.