CNN
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Outgoing Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger said Sunday that he fears for the country’s future if former President Donald Trump is not indicted for crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. I do the right thing. ”
“If this isn’t a crime, I don’t know what a crime is. If the president can instigate riots and he can’t be held accountable, there are no limits to what he can or can’t do.” , the Illinois legislator said in CNN’s Dana Bash’s “State of the Union Address.”
“I think the Justice Department will do the right thing. I think he will and frankly should be indicted,” Kinzinger said of Trump. If he’s not guilty, he frankly worries about the future of this country. ”
Kinzinger served as one of two Republicans on the House Select Committee investigating the Capitol riots. The panel completed its work last month, appealing to the DOJ and the public that there is evidence to pursue charges against Trump in multiple criminal statutes.
The committee referred Trump to the State Department on at least four counts of obstructing official process, defrauding the United States, making false statements, and aiding or abetting rioting. The commission also said in its executive summary that there was evidence of possible collusion and sedition conspiracy to harm or hinder officers.
In fact, referrals are effectively a symbolic vehicle. The Department of Justice is not required to act, but Special Counsel Jack Smith, who was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate Trump, has requested evidence gathered by the special commission.
“The Republican Party is not the future of this country unless it is fixed.
“Donald Trump is politically alive today because of Kevin McCarthy,” he said. “He went to Mar-a-Lago a few weeks after Jan. 6 and brought back Donald Trump. He’s why Donald Trump still matters.”
Kinzinger said he was “frightened in the short term” for American democracy, but more hopeful in the long term.
“I’m honored to stand at this moment in history and do the right thing,” said the congressman, who is facing criticism within his party for his stance on Trump.
The Illinois Republican, who did not seek re-election last year, said he would not “do anything different” but would not miss being in Congress. Kinzinger said it was “fun” to discuss Trump, but told Bash he had no intention of running for president in 2024.
Meanwhile, another Republican member of the House expressed optimism about the future of Congress.
“I know who I work with in Congress. There is a middle class. There aren’t many,” Kevin Brady of Texas told Fox News Sunday.
“I think if people could see more of that working class in Congress, they’d be more confident as I am,” he added.
Brady, the outgoing Republican head of the House Ways and Means Committee, also said it was his “hope” for McCarthy to win his bid for the presidency.
“I think Kevin McCarthy understands this conference in a big way. He’s worked with people from all walks of life,” says Brady. “I am confident he will be able to put these final votes together.”
With Republicans in the House holding only a majority in the upcoming Congress, McCarthy secures the votes he needs to become the next Speaker, even after making many big concessions to Republican critics in recent days. I’m having a hard time with
This story has been updated with additional details.