Adam Kinzinger
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Adam Daniel Kinzinger (born February 27, 1978) is an American politician, military pilot, and political commentator. A member of the Republican Party, he emerged as one of his party's most prominent internal critics of Donald Trump and the direction of the modern GOP.
Background & Military ServiceEarly Life & Education: Born in Kankakee, Illinois, Kinzinger graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Air Force & Air National Guard: Kinzinger was commissioned as a U.S. Air Force officer in 2003 and served as a pilot flying missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. He continued his service in the Air National Guard, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
U.S. House of RepresentativesTenure: Kinzinger was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010, serving six terms from 2011 to 2023. He initially represented Illinois's 11th congressional district and later the 16th district following redistricting.
Break with the GOP & January 6 Committee: Following the 2020 presidential election and the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, Kinzinger became a vocal critic of Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the election. He was one of only ten House Republicans to vote to impeach Trump during his second impeachment.
House January 6 Committee: Despite opposition from his party's leadership, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appointed Kinzinger to serve as one of the few Republicans on the high-profile House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack. Due to intense political backlash within his state and party, he opted not to run for re-election in 2022.
Post-Congress & MediaCNN Commentary & Writing: Following his departure from Congress, Kinzinger joined CNN as a senior political commentator. He also authored the book Renegade: Defending Democracy and Liberty in our Divided Country (2023), which details his political fallout and experiences on the January 6 Committee.
Cross-Partisan Alliances: Kinzinger has forged a unique cross-partisan political footprint, openly crossing party lines to endorse Democratic candidates and speak at high-profile events like the 2024 Democratic National Convention in opposition to Donald Trump.