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Adam Kinzinger, a Illinois congressman and one of the few high-profile Never Trumpers left in the GOP, has conceded defeat to former President Donald Trump.
In an interview with WGN-TV, Kinzinger said that while he doesn’t believe Trump’s brand of Republicanism is here to stay, “in the short term, at least,” the former president has won.
“There’s no use in pretending somehow I scored some major victory and saved the party,” Kinzinger said. “Maybe there wasn’t going to be a tidal wave of people to come over, but I certainly didn’t think I’d be alone.”
Kinzinger’s admission is a stark contrast to the confidence he exuded just a few months ago, when he said he would help lead a “fight” within the Republican Party to oust Trump and his allies.
But with Trump’s grip on the party only tightening since he left office, it appears Kinzinger has given up that fight for now.
“We talk about democracy – Republicans like to talk about the Constitution – and yet we’re openly violating it now,” he said.
Kinzinger’s defeat is a demoralizing blow for the Never Trump camp, which has seen its numbers dwindle in recent months. With Trump seemingly cementing his hold on the party, it’s unclear if there’s any future for Never Trumpers within the GOP.
In an interview with WGN Radio, Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger slammed the current state of the Republican Party, calling it “creepy” and “not the party I ever joined.”
Kinzinger, who was one of 10 House Republicans to vote in favor of impeaching Donald Trump following the events of January 6, has been a target of the former president, who has endorsed and campaigned for primary opponents for most of them.
“It’s kind of creepy, the whole thing,” Kinzinger said of the current state of the GOP. “I don’t even recognize it anymore.”
The congressman announced late last year that he would not be seeking reelection and, as he told WGN, he may not be able to return to political office with the GOP in its current state.
“I don’t know if there’s a future for the Republican Party with Donald Trump out there,” Kinzinger said. “I think he wants to create a party of just sort of angry white guys.”
Kinzinger added that he is hopeful the party will return to its roots of “limited government” and “fiscal responsibility” once Trump is no longer a factor.
“I’m still a Republican, I believe in the things the Republican Party used to stand for,” Kinzinger said. “But it’s not the party I ever joined.”
Kinzinger: “If people wake up, there may be an opportunity to come back. If they don’t, I know I’ve done what I can do. It’s not the party I ever joined. It’s around a person, and it’s kind of creepy, to be honest with you.”
He then went on to defend his stance, saying he’s proud of standing up for what he believes is right even when the rest of his party may disagree:
“I know at some point he’s [his son] going to be proud he’s a Kinzinger.
“I have a lot of colleagues that can’t say the same, and I wouldn’t want to be in their position.”
