U.S. President Donald Trump speaks before departing for Scotland, on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 25, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura
A former GOP member of Congress torched his former colleagues on Wednesday for being too afraid to stand up to President Donald Trump.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who represented Illinois in the House of Representatives for over a decade, discussed what it's like receiving death threats on a new episode of "The Bulwark Podcast," hosted by Tim Miller. Kinzinger said he's heard from several lawmakers that they are voting with Trump because they are afraid that the MAGA base may threaten their safety.
Kinzinger added that he received death threats because of his work on the Jan. 6 committee.
"If your concern truly is like, 'Gosh, I don't want death threats and so I'm going to vote this way to make Trump happy,' not only are you part of the problem, you are absolutely weak," Kinzinger said. "Go find a different job because I promise you that there is somebody who probably believes what you believe, but is willing to stand up to people."
Trump has seemingly been able to get away with vastly expanding presidential powers because Republicans have refused to stand up to him, Kinzinger argues. For instance, Trump federalized the Washington, D.C. police force to address local crime. He has also threatened to end mail-in voting.
There once was a time when Republicans would call Trump out on these actions, Kinzinger suggested.
"If you're going to put yourself in that arena, you have to be willing to stand to the pressure," Kinzinger said.
Watch the entire episode below or by clicking here.