On a recent episode of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” former Illinois congressman Adam Kinzinger opened up about the personal and political consequences he faced after refusing to go along with the tide on January 6th. Kinzinger, who spent over a year investigating Donald Trump as part of the January 6 committee, has written a book titled “Renegade: Defending Democracy and Liberty in Our Divided Country.” In the interview, he discussed his journey and highlighted the sacrifices he made in the name of democracy.
Colbert commended Kinzinger for his courage in standing up against his political allies when he saw them being pulled towards dangerous territory. They discussed the immense backlash Kinzinger faced and the toll it took on him. It became clear to Kinzinger just how much hell he would catch for his actions, particularly on the night of the 2020 election when Donald Trump urged to stop the vote count. The situation worsened when he saw fellow politicians, like Mike Johnson, starting lawsuits against the election results on behalf of Texas.
Kinzinger expressed his disappointment in realizing that some people have no red lines they refuse to cross, especially when it comes to Donald Trump. He shared his belief that enabling January 6th and supporting Trump was a violation of their oath to the Constitution. Despite his assumption that his political allies would have some innate decency, he discovered that their loyalty to Trump outweighed their commitment to upholding democracy.
The conversation took a personal turn when Colbert mentioned that the backlash Kinzinger faced extended beyond politics. Members of Kinzinger’s own family disowned him for his stance. Kinzinger recounted a disheartening incident where he went to visit his parents and received a certified letter addressed to him. The letter conveyed disappointment and described how he had lost the trust of great people like Sean Hannity and Mark Levin. Approximately 10 to 15 members of Kinzinger’s extended family decided to cut ties with him, emphasizing the divisive power that Trump held over familial bonds.
Colbert empathized with Kinzinger, sharing his own experience of being criticized for speaking the truth against someone loved by a close associate. He used the analogy of cult behavior, where leaving the group results in being cut off from social ties. Kinzinger stated that this behavior is commonly observed in politically infected individuals who prioritize allegiance to a person over policy.
The interview concluded on a lighter note, with Colbert jokingly suggesting slipping some THC gummies to Uncle Ron during Thanksgiving dinner to ease any potential political debates.
Kinzinger’s story resonated with many viewers who have experienced similar tensions within their own families, especially considering the upcoming holiday season. Despite the personal and political costs, Kinzinger remained steadfast in his commitment to defending democracy.
The episode of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” featuring Adam Kinzinger originally aired on [air date].
