Kinzinger blasts Republicans - and Democrats too - in farewell address

Anti-Trump GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger blasted Republicans - and Democrats too - in his farewell speech Thursday as he departs Congress after refusing to run in a Republican primary against a Trump-backed challenger. 

'Were Republicans once believed that limited government meant lower taxes and more autonomy. Today limited government means inciting violence against government officials,' said Kinzinger, an Illinois lawmaker who was one of only two GOP members to serve on the House's select committee on January 6. 

He pointed to the aftermath of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, in which a federal building was targeted by two anti-government extremists, Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols. 

'Former President George H.W. Bush publicly refuted those who used fear to gain support,' Kinzinger recalled. 'In stark contrast, our leaders today belittle and in some cases justify attacks on the U.S. Capitol as "legitimate political discourse."' 

The phrase came from a document voted on by members of the Republican National Committee, who censured Kinzinger and GOP Rep. Liz Cheney for their participation in the Democrat-led January 6 investigation.  

'The Republican Party used to believe in a big tent which welcomed the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free,' he went on. 'Now, we shelter the ignorant, the racist, who only stoke anger and hatred to those who are different than us.'

Anti-Trump GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger blasted Republicans - and Democrats too - in his farewell speech Thursday as he departs Congress after refusing to run in a Republican primary against a Trump-backed challenger

He blasted Republicans for sheltering the 'ignorant, the racist' and the party's reaction to January 6 (pictured) 

'But we cannot use our faith as a sword as a shield while ignoring the fact that we are all children of God, that we are all Americans,' he added. 

He said that Democrats' hands were not clean because the party, in the 2022 primaries, often helped fund the more extreme, MAGA Republican candidates, to take out moderate Republicans who could appeal to a broader scope of voters in the November midterms.

'To my Democratic colleagues, you must too bear the burden of our failures,' Kinzinger said. 'Many of you have asked me where are all the good Republicans? Over the past two years Democratic leadership had the opportunity to stand above the fray. Instead, they poured millions of dollars into the campaigns of MAGA Republicans, the same candidates President Biden called a national security threat, to ensure these good Republicans did not make it out of their respective primaries.'

'This is no longer politics as usual. This is not a game,' he continued. 'If you keep stoking the fire you can't point the fingers when our great experiment goes up in flames.' 

He said members of both parties lacked the spines to stand up to put country ovr party. 

'When one party's megaphone echoes calls for a civil war, and the other tacitly and in some cases openly supports it then we are clearly lost Mr. Speaker,' he said. 'Much like the Titanic on its maiden voyage if Republicans and Democrats don't urgently course correct, I fear we will hit the iceberg right in front of us.'

Kinzinger, who completed two tours of Iraq in the Air Force and remains in the Air National Guard, outlined the importance of the U.S. staying engaged in Ukraine's war against Russia. 

Some members of the Republican Party, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, have suggested they might not continue to fund the effort once they take control of the House of Representative in January. 

'Advocating for stronger American assistance in Ukraine to counter Putin's illegal invasion shouldn't be political, that's just the right thing to do. By supporting those who believe in freedom, we advance the interests of the American people,' Kinzinger argued. 

'Should this Congress or any future Congress decide to turn their back on our alliances and commitments it will do nothing but embolden our adversaries,' he said.

He specifically pointed to China - and suggested that if the U.S. pulls financial support from Ukraine, the Communists will take over Taiwan. 

'It has all been certain that China is gauging their tolerance for pain based on our response to Ukraine,' Kinzinger said. 'And should we fail to support our allies in Kyiv,  China will unleash their own Imperial aspirations across the region.'

Kinzinger concluded his remarks by highlighting some of the abuse he suffered as an anti-Trump Republican in a Congressional body that has mostly remained faithful to the ex-president. 

In thanking his family members he said, 'You have  all lifted me and my time of need. While others fled, you stood your ground and you supported me through thick and thin. And for this, I am eternally grateful.'

And gave shout-outs to his staff noting they took 'the brunt of the vitriol from angry and lost individuals.'  

'Had I known standing up for truth would cost me my job, friendships and even my personal security, I would - without hesitation - do it all over again,' he said. 'I can rest easy at night, knowing that I fulfilled my oath to the office.' 

'I know many in this institution cannot do the same,' he said.