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| Photo credit: Gage Skidmore/CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr |
At today's Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) clashed with Colleen Shogan, nominee to be Archivist of the United States, and National Archives and Records Administration.
On February 28, 2023, Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) clashed with Colleen Shogan, nominee to be Archivist of the United States and National Archives and Records Administration, at a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing. The heated exchange centered around Shogan's past public statements on social media and her refusal to provide a full accounting of her public posts.
During the hearing, Hawley questioned Shogan about her previous statements on Twitter, which he characterized as "pretty grossly partisan and...offensive." He asked her to provide a full accounting of her public posts on Twitter, to which Shogan responded that her personal Twitter account consisted of posts about her mystery novels, events at the White House Historical Association, Pittsburgh sports teams, travels, and her dog.
Hawley then brought up a post Shogan made on February 18, 2022, in which she bemoaned the dropping of mask requirements for children under the age of five. Hawley asked if this post was about her dog, sports teams, or mystery novels, to which Shogan responded that her social media was in her personal capacity.
Hawley continued to press Shogan on her other public posts, including a post on May 26, 2022, in which she retweeted a call for an assault weapons ban and a post on January 5, 2021, in which she told Ted Cruz to stay in his own lane and not worry about what was going on in Pittsburgh.
Shogan repeatedly responded that her social media was in her personal capacity and refused to answer yes or no to Hawley's questions about whether her posts were related to her dog, sports teams, or mystery novels. Hawley accused Shogan of lying under oath and stonewalling, and said he had never seen a witness behave like this before.
The exchange between Hawley and Shogan raises important questions about the role of social media in the confirmation process for political nominees. On one hand, it is reasonable for senators to investigate a nominee's public statements and views in order to assess their fitness for the position. On the other hand, it is also reasonable for a nominee to have a personal life and express personal opinions outside of their professional capacity.
Shogan's response that her social media was in her personal capacity is a reminder that social media has blurred the lines between public and private life. While many people use social media to express their opinions and connect with others, it is important to remember that anything posted online can potentially be seen by a wide audience, including potential employers, colleagues, and the public at large.
In the case of political nominees, it is especially important to consider how their social media presence may be perceived by the public and whether it reflects the values and responsibilities of the position they are seeking. However, it is also important to allow individuals to express themselves and have personal lives outside of their professional roles.
The exchange between Hawley and Shogan also highlights the importance of civility and respect in political discourse. While it is understandable for senators to ask tough questions and hold nominees accountable, it is also important to treat them with respect and avoid personal attacks.
In conclusion, the exchange between Hawley and Shogan raises important questions about the role of social media in the confirmation process for political nominees and the blurring of public and private life online. It also highlights the importance of civility and respect in political discourse. As social media continues to play an increasingly important role in our lives, it is important to consider how we can balance personal expression with professional responsibilities and maintain a civil and respectful public dialogue.
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