Hazmat America is a left-of-center Washington, D.C.-based agitation and advocacy organization. It is protests Republican lawmakers and conservative organizations using a balloon character in a hazmat suit called “Cleanup Carl,” which the group bills as a “superhero for democracy.” ¹ Hazmat America supports a proposed takeover of election oversight by the federal government. ²

Overview

Hazmat America is a left-of-center Washington, D.C.-based agitation and advocacy organization. The organization travels around the country to protest Republican lawmakers and conservative organizations. ³

The organization is most notable for using a prop at demonstrations: a 12-foot tall balloon of a man in a hazmat suit, called “Cleanup Carl,” who is billed as America’s only superhero for democracy. In addition to Cleanup Carl, Hazmat America workers also dress up as hazmat workers at protests. ⁴

The organization is an offshoot of Mayday PAC, with the two organizations sharing the same address. ⁵

Sedition Petition

Currently, Hazmat America hosts the “Sedition Petition,” an online petition calling for the prosecution of former President Donald Trump and others for alleged involvement in the riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. The petition is sponsored by numerous left-of-center organizations. ⁶

Other co-sponsors of the petition are Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Blue Future, TakeItBack.Org, Progress America, The People United, Daily Kos, OD Action, act.tv, Crazy Eight PAC, Free and Fair Democracy PAC, Progressive Reform Network, Other98, End Citizens United, Patriotic Millionaires, and Friends of the Earth Action. ⁷

Other Issues

Hazmat America is a strong supporter of the federal takeover of elections and the suppression of political speech. In 2021 and 2022, it went on a nationwide tour to urge U.S. Senators to support legislation that federalize election administration and urged Democrats to eliminate the “racist Jim Crow filibuster,” referring to the U.S. Senate’s filibuster rule that requires a supermajority of Senators to vote to end debate on a legislation, in order to pass the legislation. ⁸

In January 2022, the organization sent out a press release attacking the 50 Republican Senators and Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) for “standing with toxic billionaire donors” for refusing to end the filibuster to enact the legislation. It vowed to defeat every lawmaker who did not support the legislation. ⁹

In January 2022, the organization joined with other left-wing activists for protests in the home district of then-House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), calling for “justice for the January 6^th insurrection.” ¹⁰

In 2018, the organization held a “toxic tour” advocating for the defeat GOP lawmakers who supported the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. ¹¹

Leadership

Chris Tallent is the head of Hazmat America. Previously, he worked as a national campaign director for Mayday America. He also previously worked as a research analyst at Every Voice and for various left-of-center political campaigns. ¹²

1. “We’re Making Mitch McConnell Very Nervous.” Election Emails 2020. Accessed February 27, 2023. https://electionemails2020.org/email/93c22a0b4230509a95b320e3695c9c38.
2. “Introducing: The Toxic Tour!” Hazmat America. Accessed February 27, 2023. https://hazmatamerica.org/save_democracy_pass_s1/.
3. “About.” Hazmat America. Accessed February 27, 2023. https://hazmatamerica.org/about/.
4. “About.” Hazmat America. Accessed February 27, 2023. https://hazmatamerica.org/about/.
5. “We’re Making Mitch McConnell Very Nervous.” Election Emails 2020. Accessed February 27, 2023. https://electionemails2020.org/email/93c22a0b4230509a95b320e3695c9c38.
6. “Sign the Sedition Petition Now.” Sign the Sedition Petition NOW. Accessed February 27, 2023. https://seditionpetition.com/.
7. “Sign the Sedition Petition Now.” Sign the Sedition Petition NOW. Accessed February 27, 2023. https://seditionpetition.com/.
8. “Introducing: The Toxic Tour!” Hazmat America. Accessed February 27, 2023. https://hazmatamerica.org/save_democracy_pass_s1/.
9. “52 SENATORS CHOOSE VOTER SUPPRESSION AND BILLIONAIRE DONORS OVER THE AMERICAN PEOPLE’S RIGHT TO VOTE.” Hazmat America. January 20, 2022. https://hazmatamerica.org/2022/01/52-senators-choose-voter-suppression-and-billionaire-donors-over-the-american-peoples-right-to-vote-3/
10. Vartan, Kristin. “Kern County Advocates Call for Justice for Jan 6 Insurrection.” KERO 23 ABC News Bakersfield. January 7, 2022. https://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/kern-county-advocates-call-for-justice-for-jan-6-insurrection
11. “Introducing: The Toxic Tour!” Hazmat America. Accessed February 27, 2023. https://hazmatamerica.org/save_democracy_pass_s1/.
12. “Mayday: End Big Money Politics.” MAYDAY.US – Team & Board. Accessed February 27, 2023. https://mayday.us/team/.