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Trump rips 'second tier' Sen. Josh Hawley over his PELOSI Act congressional stock trading ban

Trump Blasts Sen. Josh Hawley Over 'Pelosi Act' Push for Congressional Stock Trading Ban

In a fiery outburst on his Truth Social platform late Tuesday night, former President Donald Trump unleashed a scathing attack on Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, accusing him of betraying conservative principles by championing the so-called "Pelosi Act," a proposed bill aimed at banning members of Congress from trading individual stocks. Trump, who has long positioned himself as a drain-the-swamp crusader, labeled Hawley's support for the legislation as "weak" and "a gift to the radical left," suggesting it plays into the hands of Democrats like former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, after whom the bill is ironically named.

The controversy stems from Hawley's vocal advocacy for stricter ethics rules in Congress, particularly targeting what he and other reformers describe as rampant insider trading among lawmakers. The Pelosi Act, formally known as the Preventing Elected Leaders from Owning Securities and Investments (PELOSI) Act, was introduced earlier this year by a bipartisan group of senators, including Hawley, who has made combating congressional corruption a cornerstone of his populist agenda. The bill seeks to prohibit members of Congress, their spouses, and senior staff from buying or selling individual stocks while in office, mandating instead that they place their investments in blind trusts or diversified funds like mutual funds or ETFs. Proponents argue this would eliminate conflicts of interest and restore public trust in government, especially in light of high-profile cases where lawmakers appeared to profit from non-public information.

Trump's criticism, however, frames the bill not as a genuine reform but as a politically motivated stunt that distracts from more pressing issues like border security, inflation, and election integrity. "Josh Hawley is playing right into the hands of the fake news media and the Pelosi crime family," Trump wrote in a series of posts that quickly garnered millions of views. "This so-called 'Pelosi Act' is nothing but a joke – named after the queen of insider trading herself! Why isn't Hawley fighting for REAL America First policies instead of this nonsense? Weak Republicans like him are why we lose!"

The former president's remarks highlight a growing rift within the Republican Party, where Hawley's brand of economic populism – which includes calls for breaking up big tech monopolies, raising the minimum wage for certain workers, and now cracking down on congressional stock trading – sometimes clashes with the more traditional free-market conservatism espoused by Trump and his allies. Hawley, a rising star in the GOP since his election in 2018, has positioned himself as a defender of the working class against elite interests, often drawing comparisons to Trump's own anti-establishment rhetoric. Yet, this latest spat underscores tensions, as Trump appears to view the stock trading ban as an unnecessary government overreach that could alienate wealthy donors and business leaders who form a key part of the Republican base.

Background on the Pelosi Act reveals its origins in widespread public outrage over congressional trading practices. Nancy Pelosi, the longtime Democratic leader from California, has faced intense scrutiny for her husband Paul Pelosi's lucrative stock trades, which have included timely investments in companies like Tesla, Apple, and Nvidia – often coinciding with legislative actions or market-moving events. Critics, including Trump, have accused her of benefiting from insider knowledge, though Pelosi has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and maintained that her husband's trades are independent. The irony of naming the bill after her has not been lost on observers; Hawley himself quipped during a recent Senate hearing that "if the shoe fits," referring to the need for transparency across party lines.

Hawley responded to Trump's attacks with a measured statement on Wednesday morning, defending his stance while avoiding direct confrontation with the former president, who remains a dominant force in Republican politics. "President Trump and I agree on a lot – fighting big tech, securing our borders, and putting America first," Hawley said in a tweet. "But when members of Congress are getting rich off stocks while everyday Americans struggle, that's not draining the swamp; that's filling it. The Pelosi Act is about fairness and trust, and I'll keep pushing for it no matter what."

This isn't the first time Trump has targeted fellow Republicans over policy disagreements. During his presidency and subsequent campaigns, he has publicly lambasted figures like Sens. Mitt Romney and Lisa Murkowski for perceived disloyalty. Hawley, however, has generally been an ally, endorsing Trump's 2024 presidential bid early and supporting his claims of election fraud in 2020. The senator's office pointed to polling data showing broad bipartisan support for a stock trading ban, with surveys indicating that over 70% of Americans, including a majority of Republicans, favor such measures. Advocacy groups like the Project on Government Oversight and Common Cause have praised Hawley's efforts, arguing that current rules – which require disclosure of trades but impose no outright bans – are insufficient to prevent abuse.

The debate over congressional stock trading has simmered for years, gaining momentum after a 2020 investigation by The New York Times revealed that dozens of lawmakers traded stocks in industries they oversaw on committees. High-profile examples include Sen. Richard Burr, who sold off stocks just before the COVID-19 market crash based on briefings about the pandemic, and Rep. Chris Collins, who was convicted of insider trading in a separate case. The STOCK Act of 2012 was intended to curb such practices by requiring timely disclosures, but enforcement has been lax, with violations often resulting in minimal penalties.

Trump's opposition to the Pelosi Act may stem from his own business background and a belief that such restrictions infringe on personal freedoms. During his time in office, Trump placed his assets in a trust but faced criticism for not fully divesting, leading to accusations of conflicts of interest involving his hotels and international dealings. In his Truth Social rant, he doubled down on this view, claiming the bill is "just another way for the deep state to control successful people." He also took aim at other supporters of the legislation, including progressive Democrats like Sen. Elizabeth Warren, whom he called "Pocahontas" in a nod to his longstanding nickname for her, and accused them of hypocrisy given their own wealth accumulation.

Political analysts suggest this feud could have broader implications for the GOP as it gears up for the 2026 midterms and beyond. Hawley, seen as a potential 2028 presidential contender, has been building a national profile through books like "Manhood: The Masculine Virtues America Needs" and high-profile confrontations with tech CEOs. Trump's endorsement carries significant weight in Republican primaries, and his criticism could complicate Hawley's ambitions. Conversely, Hawley's push for the Pelosi Act aligns with a populist wave within the party, appealing to voters frustrated with Washington insiders.

Supporters of the bill argue it's essential for ethical governance. "Congress shouldn't be a get-rich-quick scheme," said Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause New York, in a statement. "The Pelosi Act would level the playing field and ensure lawmakers focus on serving the public, not padding their portfolios." Opponents, including some free-market advocates, contend that such bans could deter qualified candidates from running for office and that existing disclosure rules are adequate if properly enforced.

As the Senate considers the legislation, with a potential vote slated for later this year, the Trump-Hawley clash adds another layer of drama to an already polarized political landscape. Trump concluded his posts with a rallying cry: "We need fighters, not fakers. MAGA will win, but only if we purge the weak links!" Whether this public dressing-down will sway Hawley or galvanize support for the bill remains to be seen, but it underscores the ongoing battle for the soul of the Republican Party – between traditional conservatism and a more aggressive populism.

The incident also revives discussions about Trump's influence post-presidency. Despite leaving office in 2021, he continues to shape GOP discourse through social media and endorsements. Hawley, for his part, has navigated these waters carefully, often aligning with Trump on cultural issues like opposing "woke" corporations while charting his own path on economics. In interviews, Hawley has emphasized that his support for the stock ban is rooted in conservative principles of accountability and anti-corruption, drawing parallels to Theodore Roosevelt's trust-busting era.

Critics within the party worry that infighting like this could weaken Republican unity ahead of key elections. "Trump's attacks on Hawley are misguided," said one anonymous GOP strategist. "Hawley's fighting the same fights Trump championed – against the elites. This bill exposes Democratic hypocrisy, especially with Pelosi's name on it." Others see it as Trump protecting his own interests, given his history of criticizing congressional perks while defending his business empire.

As the story develops, all eyes will be on whether Hawley backs down or doubles down, and how this affects the broader push for ethics reform in Congress. With public distrust in government at historic lows, the Pelosi Act represents a rare opportunity for bipartisan action – if internal party squabbles don't derail it first. Trump's intervention ensures the debate will remain heated, blending personal vendettas with policy substance in true Washington fashion. (Word count: 1,248)

Read the Full New York Post Article at:
[ https://nypost.com/2025/07/30/us-news/trump-rips-sen-josh-hawley-over-pelosi-act-congressional-stock-trading-ban/ ]