Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), known for his role on the Jan. 6 Committee alongside Liz Cheney, isn’t backing down from his position, even in the face of Donald Trump’s threats. Kinzinger made it clear he doesn’t need a pardon to protect himself, speaking out with confidence and clarity about his stance.
In a recent CNN interview, Anderson Cooper asked Kinzinger if President Biden should issue pardons for the January 6th Committee members, including him. Kinzinger’s response was simple and direct: “No, I don’t want it.”
He explained, “The second a pardon is issued, it could make it look like you’re guilty of something. And I’m guilty of nothing—except for bringing the truth to the American people. I embarrassed Donald Trump when I pointed out that for 187 minutes, he did absolutely nothing as the Capitol was under attack. That’s the truth. I won’t let anyone twist it.”
Kinzinger also touched on Trump’s threats to target those involved in the investigation. He said, “I understand Trump wants to go after people, but I won’t be silenced. If he tries to bring up January 6th again, I’m ready to talk about it all over again and remind everyone just how weak and scared he was during that time.”
The Jan. 6 Committee, which was bipartisan in nature, recommended criminal charges against Trump, including obstruction of an official proceeding and conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government. Although Trump was impeached a second time over the Capitol riots, he was acquitted. Still, he hasn’t stopped making threats against those who were involved in the investigation, including Cheney and Kinzinger.
Despite the pressure, Kinzinger remains firm. “If he wants to keep bringing up January 6th, I’m happy to keep talking about it and re-embarrass him,” Kinzinger added with a bold smile.
This isn’t just about politics for Kinzinger; it’s about standing up for what’s right and making sure the truth is heard loud and clear. His resolve to keep pushing for accountability, no matter the cost, is a testament to his commitment to the truth.
