Kinzinger was one of only 3 House Republicans who voted both to impeach Trump and to remove Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green from her committees. I have been hard in this space on progressives who have publicly denounced family members for being pro-Trump, or for not being sufficiently woke. sent it certified mail to Rep. Kinzinger's dad to make sure. "Oh my,. John McGlasson, the committee member for Mr. Kinzingers district, said the congressman had been insulting with his comments since Jan. 6. To embrace a party that believes in abortion and socialiem is the ultimate sin.) When you let politics come between family, thats a sure sign that you worship a false idol. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Ellen Almer Durston contributed reporting from Rockford, Ill. Kitty Bennett contributed research. WASHINGTON As the Republican Party censures, condemns and seeks to purge leaders who arent in lock step with Donald J. Trump, Adam Kinzinger, the six-term Illinois congressman, stands as enemy No. Kinzinger's cousin Karen Otto told The New York Times that she penned the letter, which includes signatures from 10 other relatives, and paid $7 to send it via certified mail to the congressman . very disappoented with the Otto paid $7 to send it by certified mail to Kinzinger's father to make sure the congressman would see it, which he did. We have a lot of work to do to restore the Republican Party, he said, and to turn the tide on the personality politics.. throughly disgusted , calling for your removal from office! or. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Trump was ultimately acquitted in a 57-43 vote in the Senate. Karen Otto, Kinzingers cousin, wrote the letter and mailed it to Kinzingers father to ensure that the congressman would see it and to other Republicans across the state, the Times reported. We were once so Instead, you go against pour Christian principal and join the "devil's your faith Adom? Anyone can read what you share. Kinzinger, who has represented Illinois' solidly Republican 16th congressional district since 2013, has made waves as one of the most vocal and forceful critics of Trump beginning during Trump's presidential campaign. Search instead in Creative? Subscribe for as little as $5/mo to start commenting on Rods blog. But I also knew that I couldnt live with myself having, you know, try to just protect it and just felt like the one time I was called to do a really tough duty, I didnt do it.. We are sure there are many other good GOP and Christian supporters, she continued. All rights reserved. Karen Otto, Kinzinger's cousin, wrote in the letter. This letter is our But I am furious that family members would do such a thing especially family members who purport to be conservative Christians. You should be His frustration level has been rising ever since he got to Congress and I think the Trump era has been difficult for him to make sense of and participate in, said former Representative Kevin Yoder of Kansas, who was one of Mr. Kinzingers closest friends in Congress before losing a 2018 re-election bid. Sign Up. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. After the letter, he went on . Read more:GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger on recognizing the QAnon threat and not fearing a GOP primary challenger for voting to impeach Trump. The Times has redacted the names of some family members who signed the letter but whom we did not interview. That is 100 percent on them to reach out and repair, and quite honestly, I dont care if they do or not.. You have embarrassed the Kinzinger family name," the letter continues. The 42-year-old congressman has made public the open letter penned by cousin Karen Otto and endorsed by 10 other family members who are upset he voted to impeach then-President Donald Trump for inciting a riot at the Capitol. I hold nothing against them, he said, but I have zero desire or feel the need to reach out and repair that. But Mr. Kinzinger soon became dispirited by a Republican Party he believed was centered around opposition to whatever President Barack Obama proposed without offering new ideas of its own. Beyond Paradise returns to our screens this week for another enthralling mystery but who is set to feature alongside Kris Marshall in the cast of Rumours are flooding the internet that Cadburys Mini Eggs are being discontinued in 2024, but is it true? and use There doesnt seem to be a camera or a microphone he wont run to, said Larry Smith, the chairman of the La Salle County G.O.P., which censured Mr. Kinzinger last month. Otherwise, if youre a Republican, then support our president. the letter read. Who is Karen Otto? we are For some voters, character matters. "I wanted Adam to be shunned," a cousin, Karen Otto, told the Times, which published the letter Monday. That comes with the territory. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. June 17, 2022 . For his part, Kinzinger appears unmoved by the. Upon his discharge he joined the Air National Guard, where he remains a lieutenant colonel. The American Ideas Institute is a nonprofit, non-partisan 501(c)(3) organization based in Washington, D.C. 2022 The American Conservative, a publication of The American Ideas Institute. The effort worked, and Kinzinger saw the letter. "President Trump has done more for the American people in four years, than you, the Rhinos and the Democrats have done in years!! Kinzinger has been making national headlines amid his battle against what he calls Trumpism in the Republican Party. Karin Otto. Market data provided by Factset. fallen for their socialism ideals! no The Illinois congressman cited most Republicans seeming unwillingness to hold Trump accountable for his role in encouraging violence on Jan. 6, as well as the party's support of lawmakers such as Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has drawn criticism for past social media posts in which shes suggested support for killing Democratic politicians, unfounded QAnon theories and racist views. A 42-year-old Air National Guard pilot who represents a crescent-shaped district along the Chicagos suburbs, Mr. Kinzinger is at the forefront of the effort to navigate post-Trump politics. Some of anti-Trump GOP Congressman's family disfellowship him, placing politics ahead of family, and ideology over blood, Emily Kohrs, foreman of the grand jury investigating Donald Trump, shows that there's no limit to what Jobless Former Theater Kids can do, Reporting on Donald Trump means never having to say you're sorry -- or answer Jeff Gerth's questions, The Christian Right MAGApalians' favorite president just hosted a Log Cabin Republican gala at his Florida home, celebrated what he called 'our movement'. Oh my, what a disappointment you are to us and to God! the letter began. That is 100 percent on them to reach out and repair, and quite honestly, I dont care if they do or not.. Mr. Kinzinger now faces the classic challenge for political mavericks aiming to prove their independence: His stubborn and uncompromising nature rankles the very Republicans he is trying to recruit to his mission of remaking the party. You have embarrassed the Kinzinger family name.. His anti-Trump stance has angered Republican constituents in his district, some of whom liken him to a Democrat, and frustrated Republican officials in Illinois who say he cares more about his own national exposure than his relationship with them. numerous concerning your actions and egregions behavior towarte As to his own future in the party, Mr. Kinzinger said he will know by the end of the summer whether he can remain a Republican for the long term or whether he will be motivated to change his party affiliation if it becomes clear to him that Mr. Trumps allies have become a permanent majority. Some of GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger's relatives signed a scathing letter calling him "a disappointment to us and God.". You have embarrassed the Kinzinger family name!. Adam, karen otto, kinzinger interview. During the House impeachment debate, he asked Democrats if he could speak for seven minutes instead of his allotted one, so that he could make a more authoritative and bipartisan argument against the president; the request was denied. the letter, which Kinzinger first discussed in an interview with Insider's Anthony Fisher and was shared in full with The New York Times, began. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. What is clear is that Mr. Kinzinger has found himself on the wrong side of rank-and-file Republicans at home. The La Salle County Republican Central Committee, located in the district he represents,moved to censure him earlier this month. Stay up to date with what you want to know. "Oh my, what a disappointment you are to us and to God!" Below is a letter to Representative Adam Kinzinger, Republican of Illinois, from several of his family members who support former President Trump. I wanted Adam to be shunned, she told the NYT in an interview. has been very vocal in his opposition to former President Trump and the direction of the republican party. Karen Otto, Kinzinger's cousin, authored the scathing letter after his vote to approve the 2020 election results. And sad that its happening to so many. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/15/us/politics/adam-kinzinger-republicans-trump.html, For the last four and a half years, the only spokesman for the Republican Party has been Donald Trump, said Representative Adam Kinzinger of Illinois. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. In the interview, Mr. Kinzinger said hes unlikely to pursue the 2022 nomination for governor or the Senate. Kinzinger said he plans to target two of Trumps most ardent defenders in the lower chamber Reps.Marjorie Taylor Greene(R-Ga.) andMatt Gaetz(R-Fla.). It was dated Jan. 8, two days after rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, forcing lawmakers into hiding and temporarily delaying Congress certification of Joe Bidens Electoral College victory. Mr. Kinzinger said he was not deterred by the Senates failure on Saturday to convict Mr. Trump in the impeachment trial. 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The Illinois Republican told CNNs David Axelrod during an episode of The Axe Files podcast that he is willing to lose his seat over his vote to impeach Trump. The problem is it does real damage to this democracy.. Oh my, what a disappointment you are to us and to God! they wrote. Mr. Kinzinger, left, during a meeting with Republican lawmakers and Donald J. Trump at the White House in 2018 in Washington. I wanted Adam to be shunned, she said in an interview. Karen Otto, Kinzinger's cousin who spearheaded the letter signed by 11 other family members, told The Times that she spent $7 to send the letter via certified mail to make sure that he saw it, adding that she wants to see Kinzinger "shunned." The two-page letter goes on to defend Trump as a man of Christian faithand criticizesKinzinger for attacking the former president, reportedly saying: "You wont convince us otherwise with your horrible, rude accusations of President Trump! . It is not But to the extent I can, I will also focus on the national message because I can turn every heart in central and northern Illinois and it wouldnt make a dent on the whole party. expected to lose a congressional district following the 2020 census. ", TRUMP ADVISER SAYS FORMER PRESIDENT TO REMAIN 'ACTIVELY INVOLVED' IN GOP. The author of the letter was Karen Otto, Kinzinger's cousin, who paid $7 to send it by certified mail to Kinzinger's father to make sure the congressman would see it, which he did. Shark Tanks Kevin OLeary blasts Ocasio-Cortez: She kills jobs by the Trump asks for roughly six-month delay in New York fraud case. Dreherlives in Baton Rouge, La. The author of the letter was Karen Otto, Mr. Kinzinger's cousin, who paid $7 to send it by certified mail to Mr. Kinzinger's father to make sure the congressman would see it, which he did. There doesnt seem to be a camera or a microphone he wont run to, said La Salle County GOP chairman Larry Smith. Karen Otto. as well as other partner offers and accept our. You have even fallen for their socialism [sic] ideals, she continued, calling his decisions So, so, sad!, Otto then defended the former commander-in-chiefs reaction to his election loss, writing to the Illinois congressman, President Trump is not perfect, but neither are you or any of us for that matter! to And thats what I think the huge battle is.. You have even The author of the letter was Karen Otto, Mr. Kinzingers cousin, who paid $7 to send it by certified mail to Mr. Kinzingers father to make sure the congressman would see it, which he did. ), German swimmer, the first female athlete to win six gold medals at a single Olympic Games. & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. For the last four and a half years, the only spokesman for the Republican Party has been Donald Trump, said Representative Adam Kinzinger of Illinois. The censure was largely symbolic and does not threaten Kinzingers current hold on the House seat. I hold nothing against them, but I have zero desire or feel the need to reach out and repair that,he said. https://t.co/yx3XbsKjmm, Central and Northern Illinois deserve an explanation and deserve my full attention, and theyll get it, Kinzinger told the NYT. When loyalty to Mr. Trump became a litmus test for Republican conservatism, Mr. Yoder said, that became a bridge too far for him.. We've received your submission. ", Karen Otto, Kinzinger's cousin who spearheaded the letter signed by 11 other family members, told The Times that she spent $7 to send the letter via certified mail to make sure that he saw it, adding that she wants to see Kinzinger "shunned.". He first won his seat in Congress with Sarah Palins endorsement. Mr. Kinzinger films an ad for his PAC, Country First, at Whiskey Acres Distilling Co. on Friday in DeKalb, Ill., as his wife,Sofia Boza-Holman Kinzinger, right, looks on. Its time to present an alternative narrative and fight for the soul of the party.CreditTaylor Glascock for The New York Times. are not judging you forgot you now belong to the "davile army.) She also sent copies to Republicans across Illinois, including other members of the states congressional delegation. mong 11 of Adam Kinzingers relatives sent him a, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Bay Area weather: After thunderstorms and hail, snow could be on the way this weekend, 11 of Adam Kinzingers relatives sent him a letter shunning him for speaking against Trump, Trump asks judge to block Pences testimony to grand jury, DoJ says Donald Trump can be sued over J6 riot injuries, Opinion: Giving Tucker Carlson Jan. 6 video violates the First Amendment, McCarthy defends giving Fox thousands of hours of J6 video, Fox faces existential threat from defamation cases. The author of the letter was Karen Otto, Mr. Kinzingers cousin, who paid $7 to send it by certified mail to Mr. Kinzingers father to make sure the congressman would see it, which he did. Excerpt: Two days after Mr. Kinzinger called for removing Mr. Trump from office following the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol, 11 members of his family sent him a handwritten two-page letter, saying he was in cahoots with the devils army for making a public break with the president. The partys sick right now, Kinzinger told the Times. National Politics | But some members of his family are disgusted with him because hes lost the respect of wait for it Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh. Kinzinger, who has represented Illinois' solidly Republican 16th congressional district since 2013, has made waves as one of the most vocal and forceful critics of Trump beginning during Trump's. Kinzinger's cousin Karen Otto told The New York Times that she penned the letter, which includes signatures from 10 other relatives, and paid $7 to send it via certified mail to the congressman . Otto entered a special sports school at age 11 after East Germany's comprehensive scouting program identified her as a swimming prospect. The six-term House Republican never warmed to the GOP president during his time in office, regularly criticizing the commander-in-chief for his rhetoric though not usually straying from him on critical party issues. your horrible, runde accusations of President Trung! Feb. 15, 2021 Below is a letter to Representative Adam Kinzinger, Republican of Illinois, from several of his family members who support former President Trump. He used to talk to us back in the good old days.. Thank you, @GretchenCarlson Im ok, more sad that someone would be willing to choose a man over family. are not worth more you. 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My dads cousins sent me a petition a certified letter saying they disowned me because Im in the devils army now, he told Business Insider last month. After stating they believe Trump will be forgiven the God, the letter from Kinzinger's relatives said: "It is most embarrassing to us that we are related to you. Karen Otto. P.S. You should be very proud that you have lost the respect of Lou Dobbs, Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, Greg Kelly, etc., and most importantly in our book, Mark Levin and Rush Limbaugh and us!" I wanted Adam to be shunned, she said in an interview. of The New York Times wrote an expos on the severe pushback from his republican peers. Oh my, what a disappointment you are to us and to God! they wrote to the Illinois Republican, according to a copy of the letter obtained by the paper, rebuking his horrible, rude accusations of President Trump., It is now most embarrassing to us that we are related to you, they continued in the letter, which was dated January 8, after Kinzinger called for the 25th Amendment to be used to remove Trump from office. Reps for Kinzinger could not immediately be reached for comment by The Post, nor could Otto. Opinion: Giving Tucker Carlson Jan. 6 video violates the First Amendment back !) This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. And it works for an election cycle or two.