Kinzinger’s Take on Comey’s Indictment
Former Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) expressed on Friday that the indictment of ex-FBI director James Comey represents an attempt by the Trump administration to intimidate its critics and shut down opposition.
Kinzinger, who was part of the House Committee investigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, noted that he doesn’t feel threatened by Trump. Interestingly, he and others on the panel received pardons from President Biden prior to his inauguration.
When asked if he genuinely wanted to see Comey imprisoned, given their long-standing conflicts, Kinzinger’s response was quite pointed.
“They want to be certain. This is inconvenient and really about blackmail,” he stated during a CNN interview with Anderson Cooper.
He argued that while the lawsuit against Comey lacks strength, it forces him to retain legal representation, which adds to the burden.
“It’s worth noting that Republicans used to campaign against frivolous lawsuits, but now it seems the president is quite the practitioner of that,” he remarked.
Kinzinger emphasized that this move is also meant to quiet other critics of Trump.
“It’s a message aimed at others: ‘This could happen to you too,’” he said. “As a result, people are keeping quiet. Businesses are pretty subdued. It’s like everyone is just trying to get along.”
He conceded that if this is indeed Trump’s strategy, it appears to be working.
Many companies seem to be indicating a willingness to adjust their policies to align more closely with Trump’s preferences.
“It’s working now, but down the line, I think it will leave a mark on our history,” added Kinzinger, a former member of the Illinois GOP.
Despite everything, he reassured that he isn’t worried about being targeted. In fact, he believes that if Trump goes after him, it could enhance his impact.
“People need to realize that when you confront him, he often backs down. Standing up becomes infectious,” he noted.
As an illustration, Kinzinger pointed to ABC’s decision to reinstate Jimmy Kimmel in late-night television.
“When there’s a strong pushback, like Kimmel’s, it can be effective and create momentum,” he said.
