Adam Kinzinger, a former Republican congressman from Illinois and member of the House January 6th select committee, expressed concerns about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential campaign, suggesting it has been influenced or overtaken by MAGA (Make America Great Again) ideologies.
Kinzinger shared his thoughts during a CNN interview, responding to Kennedy’s announcement of his intent to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the actions of January 6th, 2021, if elected.
Kinzinger described Kennedy’s campaign shift as either being co-opted by or willingly aligning with MAGA-related narratives, often including theories and positions championed by Donald Trump and his supporters.
He speculated that Kennedy’s stance could be a strategy to gain financial support and public attention or reflect his genuine beliefs. Kinzinger voiced his alarm over the development, labeling it as dangerous and misguided.
Adding to the controversy, Kennedy’s campaign disseminated an email comparing the treatment of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange with that of the defendants on January 6.
The email criticized the handling of Assange and likened his situation to that of Edward Snowden and the individuals arrested in connection with the Capitol riot, suggesting all had been deprived of their constitutional rights.
However, Kennedy’s team later clarified that the email contained unauthorized statements that did not reflect Kennedy’s opinions. Stephanie Spear, a spokesperson for Kennedy, explained that a new marketing contractor mistakenly included the contentious comparison and had evaded the usual review process.
The campaign confirmed the contractor’s dismissal following the incident, as reported by The Epoch Times, highlighting the sensitivity and complexities surrounding political messaging and the varying interpretations of events like those on January 6th.