Representative Adam Kinzinger, a Republican from Illinois, speaks to members of the media following a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, not pictured, outside the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, March 6, 2019. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, one of the few Republicans with the power to request President Trump's tax returns wants to make sure that if House Democrats are successful in getting them, he wants to see them, too. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Illinois) wants to prove there is a GOP voter base who reject the conspiracy theories that have come to define the Republican Party.
“The biggest danger right now is that we’ve become a part that dabbles, not just dabbles, we traffic in conspiracies and we traffic in lies,” said Kinzinger.
He has released a video and website, country1st.com, to start the campaign to reclaim the Republican Party.
As one of the 10 House Republicans to vote in favor of impeaching former President Donald Trump, Kinzinger is the rare Republican willing to speak out against Trump’s actions. Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyoming), who also voted for impeachment, is set to work alongside Kinzinger, also wanting to distance the party from Trump and his claims.
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Kinzinger referred to Trump’s role in the Capitol attack as a wake-up call.
“Republicans must say enough is enough. It’s time to unplug the outrage machine, reject the politics of personality, and cast aside the conspiracy theories and rage. It’s time to turn back from the edge of darkness and return to the ideals that have long been our guiding light,” he said. “It’s now or never, the choice is ours. I’ve made mine, and I hope every Republican, and every American who shares our values, will choose to join me. Let’s take back our party.”
Kinzinger’s efforts are in marked contrast to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and the Republicans who continue to support Trump.
McCarthy said Trump “bears responsibility for [the] attack on Congress by mob rioters,” but then voted against his second impeachment, angering Kinzinger.
“When you go from calling this an insurrection that the president bears the blame for to thanking Donald Trump for his commitment to win back the majority, that’s a heck of a move in about three weeks,” Kinzinger said.
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