Republican ex-Rep. Adam Kinzinger: Trump ‘suffocated the soul of’ the GOP

Former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger in his Democratic National Convention accent that “Donald Trump has suffocated the soul of the Republican Party,” endorsing Democrat Kamala Harris for president.

“His fundamental weakness has coursed through my party like an illness, sapping our strength, softening our spine, whipping us into a fever that has untethered us from our values,” he stated.

Kinzinger, who represented Illinois in Congress from 2011 to 2023, directed his accent to not the Democrats in Chicago’s United Heart Thursday night time, however to participants of his personal birthday celebration.

“I’ve learned something about the Democratic Party, and I want to let my fellow Republicans in on the secret,” he stated. “The Democrats are as patriotic as us. They love this country just as much as we do. And they are as eager to defend American values at home and abroad as we conservatives have ever been.”

“I’ve learned something about my party, too. Something I couldn’t ignore,” he persisted. “The Republican Party is no longer conservative. It has switched its allegiance. From the principles that gave it purpose, to a man whose only purpose is himself.”

Kinzinger, who in his accent stated he “still hold[s] onto the label” of Republican, used to be a Trump critic prior to the Jan. 6 attack at the U.S. Capitol.

Within the wake of the violent riot, Kinzinger used to be certainly one of most effective ten Republicans to vote to impeach Trump within the former president’s second impeachment trial.

Kinzinger additionally voted to build, and upcoming sat on, the select committee to analyze the Jan. 6 rebel. He and previous Rep. Liz Cheney have been the one Republicans at the committee.

“Our democracy was frayed by the events of January 6th, as Donald Trump’s deceit and dishonor led to a siege on the United States Capitol,” he stated. “How can a party claim to be patriotic if it idolizes a man who tried to overthrow a free and fair election?”

Kinzinger, who in June endorsed Democrat Joe Biden prior to the president dropped his bid for reelection, used to be now not the primary Republican to talk at this age’s Democratic conference.

A number of former Trump voters and staffers spoke on the DNC this age, endorsing Harris in an aim to persuade their fellow Republicans to vote in opposition to their birthday celebration and its chief.

“Democracy knows no party,” Kinzinger stated. “It is a living, breathing ideal that defines us as a nation. It is the bedrock that separates us from tyranny — and when that foundation is fractured, we must all stand united to strengthen it.”

“If you think those principles are worth defending, I urge you: Make the right choice. Vote for our bedrock values. Vote for Kamala Harris.”