Republican Adam Kinzinger Warns 1/6 Committee Subpoena for Trump Would Become 'a Circus'
Source: Newsweek
Representative Adam Kinzinger, an Illinois Republican, said that the House select committee investigating the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol "certainly will" issue a subpoena for former President Donald Trump if necessary, but warned it would become "a circus" if that happens.
Kinzinger, a staunch Trump critic, is along with GOP Representative Liz Cheney of Wyoming one of just two Republicans serving on the committee. Trump has discouraged his allies from cooperating with the committee's investigation, and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon is facing a criminal referral after he refused to appear before the House investigators this past week.
Committee members have repeatedly said that they are willing to subpoena a wide range of individuals to get information about the January 6 attack. Although they have not said Trump will be subpoenaed, they have kept open the possibility. Kinzinger reiterated this point during a Sunday interview with CNN.
"Just speaking quite honestly, if we subpoena all of a sudden the former president, we know that's going to become kind of a circus," the Republican congressman said. "So that's not necessarily something we want to do up front."
Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/republican-adam-kinzinger-warns-1-6-committee-subpoena-for-trump-would-become-a-circus/ar-AAPDfHn?li=BB141NW3
Fitting I guess since he's the biggest clown the GOP has.
Ocelot II
(115,280 posts)It might be a better tactical decision to deal with the lesser clowns first, but when the time is right, subpoena the big clown and let the circus begin.
BlueJac
(7,838 posts)When things get tricky watch him.
Right now I'd trust Cheney on that committtee before Kinzinger.
His statement just gives another reason for that mistrust.
agingdem
(7,759 posts)Last edited Sun Oct 17, 2021, 05:38 PM - Edit history (1)
Kinzinger is no saint...he voted with Trump over 90% of the time, so his never-trump routine is shtick..he wants it both ways...bye bye Trump/hello high profile..a chance for higher office...right now he's doing his "Republicans do it, too, but the Dems are worse" crap...don't trust him
ProfessorGAC
(64,425 posts)But, he was anti-T***p all the way back to 2017.
And he didn't hide it.
He is an irretrievable supply side believer, and that's certainly problematic.
But, I've talked to him a few times, and a frothing right winger, he isn't.
He's more like a libertarian with an R after his name.
That doesn't make him an ally, and I agree he has further ambitions, but he's not trying to have it both ways.
That 10% of the stuff where he voted with the dems, were the most "trumpian" efforts.
And, a good part of the other 90% were noncontroversial.
We definitely agree he's not a true friend, but his anti-cult position is real.
azureblue
(2,131 posts)Calling Trump in now will be cow patties in a fan. And he will do anything to create chaos. Far better to subpoena the underlings, jail a few for not responding, build a solid case, and then call in Trump, when you already have proof to convict. Just let him have a chance to have a say. if he refuses (he will), then that's fine, too. Go ahead and charge him when they case is solid.Trump really doesn't have to testify and we all know all he will do is lie, anyway.
former9thward
(31,804 posts)Response to BlueJac (Reply #2)
Chin music This message was self-deleted by its author.
totodeinhere
(13,037 posts)Trump has a habit of doing everything he can to outlast legal proceeding by drawing them out in the courts. And you know how slowly the courts can act. Subpoenaing a former president would probably bring up its own legal issues and I could see that circus drawn out past the November 2022 elections. And if the Republicans regain control in 2022 it's all over. Plus a situation like this would probably distract heavily from President Biden's legislative agenda. I am in favor of subpoenaing him but only if they do it soon.
bringthePaine
(1,726 posts)Bayard
(21,805 posts)Nothing new.
truthisfreedom
(23,113 posts)Tacan
(97 posts)Response to Tacan (Reply #10)
Chin music This message was self-deleted by its author.
former9thward
(31,804 posts)He was subpoenaed by Ken Starr who was acting on behalf of the Justice Department.
bluestarone
(16,722 posts)Ask the DOJ to appoint their own KEN STARR? (i suggest Hillary Clinton)
former9thward
(31,804 posts)I don't know how the DOJ would respond.
ancianita
(35,813 posts)Response to ancianita (Reply #11)
Chin music This message was self-deleted by its author.
oldsoftie
(12,410 posts)Giving him MORE publicity, MORE sound bites, MORE "look how they're treating him!" bullshit, MORE fundraising opportunities, etc. He wouldnt answer anything anyway.
Clicks on trump stories have gone down considerably over the past few months & he cant stand it. Thats why he's trying so hard to get back on Twitter. This would ramp that right back up.
Stop giving him what he wants; attention & money.
The Mouth
(3,123 posts)He thrives on attention, he is energized by it. he'd much rather be vilified than ignored.
Mud wrestling with a pig. You get dirty and the pig enjoys it.
oldsoftie
(12,410 posts)I mean, he gives sit down interviews with people writing books about him and he KNOWS the book wont be flattering. And even lets them record it! Who DOES that?
Your last line describes it perfectly
bucolic_frolic
(42,676 posts)I kind of think he could get re-elected even with redistricting. He just has that something.
But he is correct about a subpoena and TFG. No way that will work out. TFG will not view this as a place to tell his story or find the truth. It's a Drama Queen's Dream. No sense in going down that alley. Negotiate for a blanket 5th Amendment card and go on to real people.
ProfessorGAC
(64,425 posts)This was a bluish purple district before the last redistricting. That was forced by explosion population growth of the far west suburbs & the county where Kinzinger and I live. So, a good slice of the communities to the east got pushed into another district giving Kinzinger a big advantage in corn country.
With the new map, I don't think he can win here, but could run in the district to the west or south.
Problem is, that area becomes less traditional Republican & more GQP. The cult runs strong there, and he's not too popular with that crowd.
I think he's toast as a rep, but I think he's got his eye on a state position.
Response to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)
Chin music This message was self-deleted by its author.
Marcuse
(7,398 posts)DallasNE
(7,392 posts)Besides, nobody is claiming otherwise.
At stake is the rule of law = it is that simple. Let the mightly fall if that is what the evidence supports. No exceptions, especially for the powerful.
Response to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)
ExTex This message was self-deleted by its author.
LiberalLovinLug
(14,154 posts)The 'circus' is created mostly by the media. With that in mind, Democrats should do everything they can to limit any fanfare surrounding the proceedings as much as they can legally do.
Maybe there's no way to stop that media driven circus. I can just see it. If Trump was subpoenaed, if the media had even a week in advance, all of them, including FOX would be advertising it like its some big heavy weight tilt to look forward to. Of course lots of stories with leading titles like "Will this hurt Democrats?", and the follow up "How much will this hurt Democrats?"
Bucky
(53,795 posts)I know you have only good intentions with your statement. In a sane world, that would be the right approach.
But you're basically saying "Let's put a man on Mars, but try not to make too big a deal about it." Or "Let's put a monkey in a barrel of mayonnaise, but try not to let it get too messy." Or "Let's have puppies and kittens play on a couch full of pillows and stuffed animals, but don't let it get too cute."
Trump shows up; it will be a sideshow. It will be a three ringer. Blithering jackanapes are gonna be blithering jackanapes. Bank on it.
LiberalLovinLug
(14,154 posts)Im just saying Democrats should do everything in their power to reduce that circus by things like bringing him in through a back door. Or limiting press access. Just before and during the actual time its happening. Set rules in advance for dealing with interruptions and protests.
And then, conversely, raise holy hell every evening on any new shocking revelations, which Im sure there will be plenty. Its not that we dont want to create a media spectacle around it, its that we should be directing that spectacle. And steering the discussion to the actual content. Its come to the point that we cant rely on the news media to focus on the actual details. We have to help them do their jobs.
Rebl2
(13,311 posts)😐😐😐
Bucky
(53,795 posts)"Let's not investigate a possible criminal because of how he might react to being investigated" seems like a pisspoor approach to law enforcement.
Let the world see his clownish contempt for the rule of law.