Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, a Republican and notorious critic of President Donald Trump, announced this week that he will not be seeking reelection in 2022.
Kinzinger, a RINO who supported the failed impeachment attempt of the 45th president over the “insurrection” at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, stated that he was “proud to have served Illinois for six terms and look forward to what’s next.”
Kinzinger joined nine other House Republicans in voting for the impeachment of President Trump in January. One of those Republicans, Rep. Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio, also announced that he would not be seeking reelection.
Trump commented on the matter in a simple statement:
“2 down, 8 to go!”
Additionally, Kinzinger was appointed by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to join the highly-partisan, politically-motivated Jan. 6 Select Committee in investigating Trump and his supporters for their roles in the Capitol “riot.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga, savaged Kinzinger over his decision to accept the appointment, calling him a “traitor.” Further, the Jan. 6 Committee has issued several subpoenas this year relating to the so-called “insurrection” at the capitol, most recently voting to cite Steve Bannon, Trump’s former advisor and close ally, in contempt of Congress for failing to appear before the committee to testify.
Interestingly enough, had Kinzinger chosen to run for reelection in Illinois, he would have been pitted head-to-head against Rep. Darin LaHood, a Republican who has previously been very vocal in his support of President Trump. Given Kinzinger’s tanking popularity among conservative voters, thanks to his involvement in the seemingly endless political witch hunt that appears to drive the Jan. 6 Committee, it is likely that he would have fared poorly in the primary race.
In a video posted to his Twitter account, Kinzinger stated that during his initial campaign, he originally promised to step away from Congress if it felt necessary.
He said, “If I ever thought it was time to move on from Congress, I would. And that time is now. But let me be clear, my passion for this country has only grown. My desire to make a difference is bigger than it’s ever been. My disappointment in the leaders that don’t lead is huge. The battlefield must be broader and the truth needs to reach the American people across the whole country.”
However, Kinzinger’s comments seem to be at odds with his position on the Jan. 6 Committee, which appears to be more motivated to hand political wins to Democrats who hate President Trump, rather than investigating the “truth” that he says “needs to reach the American people.”
Perhaps it is just a coincidence that Rep. Kinzinger is retiring after his catastrophically unpopular decision to vote to impeach President Trump and sit on the Jan. 6 Committee. Or, perhaps, it’s a litmus test for the shifting climate of the upcoming congressional races.
As a white-hot 2022 midterm battlefield approaches, frustrated Americans and staunch supporters of President Trump will cast their votes for Trump-endorsed candidates, not his enemies. Kinzinger’s retirement from Congress appears to be a major victory for President Trump and his base.