Kinzinger acknowledged that his decision was a “potential” victory for Trump, so Kinzinger said the GOP establishment is the one that constantly gives Trump victories, especially in support of his baseless claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him.
“I don’t think it was my decision that would bring Donald Trump victory,” he told leader George Stephanopoulos. “Actually, I think what’s going on here, if he runs in 2024, he’ll undoubtedly be the leader, but I think the Republican establishment is now, be it the NRCC, or is it [House Minority Leader] Kevin McCarthy stuck to Donald Trump. It doesn’t bring Donald Trump victory as much as a carcinogenic series of lies and conspiracies. “
Kinzinger also said a change in the Democrat district of Illinois that would make his re-election difficult would have been a factor in his departure. He said many Americans these days feel alienated from the two main political parties. “A lot of people feel politically homeless,” he said.
Kinzinger and Cheney are the only Republicans in Parliament’s House to investigate the Jan. 6 uprising at the Capitol. He refused to speculate on whether the president could be prosecuted for his role in the events of that day.
“I don’t feel comfortable giving that statement yet,” he said. “I will say this: We are getting a lot of information. We continue to learn things every day. Some of them come to light. Some who don’t. If the president was aware of what was going to happen, he did not blink a finger to do anything about it, it is the decision of the Ministry of Justice.