Voting for Trump Equates To Endorsing “Authoritarianism,” Says Republican Adam Kinzinger

Jo ShawNov 2, 2023

Minute Read

Adam Kinzinger, former Republican Representative, told CNN’s Anderson Cooper that deciding between Biden and Trump is choosing between Democracy and Authoritarianism. He also said he was not ready to give up his title of Republican but would still vote for Biden in 2024 even after facing threats from MAGA extremists.

This Country Needs Two Healthy Parties

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Kinzinger began his interview with Cooper by explaining, “This country needs two healthy parties: a healthy Democratic party and a healthy Republican. So, I’m not going to give up that title.”

Kinzinger Would Vote Biden in 2024

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The former GOP representative claimed to have cast his vote for the Democratic candidate during the 2022 midterms. He expressed his intention to do so again in 2024 if the election features a matchup between Trump and Biden.

Still Considers Himself a Republican

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‘Do you still consider yourself a Republican?’ CNN’s Anderson Cooper asked Kinzinger during the interview. ‘It’s a tough question,’ Kinzinger responded. “I do,” he confirmed, “only in that because I don’t wanna give up on that fight.”

Do You Believe in Democracy?

Kinzinger stated there is only one issue facing American voters in their decision to vote Biden or Trump. “I really believe it’s down to one issue on the ballot,” he said. “Not taxes, not even abortion, nothing. The one issue is: Do you believe in democracy, or do you believe in authoritarianism?”

A Vote for Authoritarianism

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Kinzinger announced his intention to support Joe Biden in the 2024 election, arguing that casting a vote for Donald Trump equates to endorsing “authoritarianism.”

Not a Slide, a Sprint

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“Because you see a legitimate slide towards authoritarianism?” asked Cooper. “…if Trump is re-elected?” Kinzinger responded, “I see if he’s re-elected, not a slide, a sprint.”

Democracy Can’t Take Two Hits From Trump

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‘Because on January 6, we saw the guardrails, you know, of democracy held. The car hit the rails. It kept you on the road. That rail can’t take two hits,’ he illustrated.

They Know Where the Tricks Are

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“And now they know what they’re doing. Now they know where the tricks are in the system,” explained Kinzinger. “I guarantee you, Donald Trump will not put people around him that are loyal to the Constitution and will push back,” he said.

Guardrails Protecting Democracy Will Be Ripped Out

“If you interview 100 people, you will find somebody to be Attorney General that simply tells you, ‘I will do whatever you want, Mr. President.’ Those guardrails are being ripped out. That’s what I see would happen if he is re-elected,” the former GOP Representative concluded.

Kinzinger Voted to Impeach Trump

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Kinzinger, a former Republican congressman, voted in favor of impeaching Trump after the January 6 Capitol riot and subsequently declared that he would not run for re-election.

2 Down 8 to Go

Following Rep. Adam Kinzinger’s announcement that he would not seek re-election in 2022, Trump celebrated the news concisely through his leadership PAC, Save America, declaring, “2 down, 8 to go!”

Rep. Anthony Gonzalez Voted to Impeach Trump

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Kinzinger’s choice not to seek re-election joined the list of nine other Republican House members critical of Trump. Ohio Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, who also voted against party lines during the impeachment, also announced he wouldn’t seek re-election.

Gonzalez Faced Backlash

Republican representative Gonzalez faced a backlash similar to Kinzinger, resulting in pushback from national Republicans closely aligned with Trump. “I’m not an idiot,” Gonzalez said. “I understand what this vote means and what it could potentially mean for my political career.”

Overthrowing an Election Happens in Third World Countries

“I consider it an unconstitutional attempt by a sitting president to overthrow an election and re-install himself as president,” Gonzalez said. “That’s the sort of thing that happens in Third World countries. That’s the sort of thing that we, all Americans, should passionately object to.”

Playing Footsie With MAGA Extremists

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Gonzalez had previously stated, “If we play footsie with some of these extremist movements, it will be to our detriment. But more importantly, it’ll be to the detriment of the country.”

Kinzinger Disowned by Family

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Following his vote to impeach Trump, Kinzinger had shared with CNN that he received a disownment letter from a family member following critical comments by Fox News host Sean Hannity. “So, I had family that sent a certified letter disowning me,” Kinzinger told CNN.

A “Member of the Devil’s Army”

“They said I’ve lost the trust of great men like Sean Hannity, which is funny, but they believe that. They said I was a member of the devil’s army,” Kinzinger explained.

Letter From the Family

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In the letter written the day after Kinzinger voted to remove Trump from office for his role in inciting the Capitol riots, certain members of Kinzinger’s family called him a disappointment “to us and to God”… and accused him of being brainwashed. “It is not for us to judge or be judged!” his family ironically wrote.

Threatening Calls

“You know, we had people that would call and threaten to kill my, at the time, five-month-old child, or say they wish he would die,” Kinzinger sadly shared with CNN. Former GOP Representative Gonzalez mentioned that he had been in contact with law enforcement authorities and the FBI to address concerns over the safety of his family.

Will the Younger Generation of Politicians Want to Come Forward?

As calls for a new generation of leaders grow louder, is Trump’s tendency to retaliate against those who voice opposition deterring younger politicians from stepping forward?