Congressman Adam Kinzinger released a letter that he claims was sent to him by nearly a dozen family members rejecting him for his vote to impeach former President Donald Trump a second time.
Kinzinger (R-Ill.) Provided the letter to the New York Times, which published it on Monday. It was dated Friday, January 8 and written by Karen Otto, a cousin of the Illinois legislature.
“Oh my, what a disappointment you are for us and for God! We have already been very proud of your achievements! Instead, you go against your Christian principles [sic] and join the ‘devil’s army’ ”, wrote Otto at the beginning of the correspondence, which was signed by 10 other relatives.
“We thought you were ‘smart’ enough to see how the left is brainwashing so many ‘so-called good people’ including you and many other GOP members. You even fell for their socialism [sic] ideals, ”she continued, calling out her decisions,“ so, so, sad! “
Otto then defended the former commander-in-chief’s reaction to his electoral defeat, writing to the Illinois congressman: “President Trump is not perfect, but neither you nor any of us! It is not for us to judge or be judged! But he is a Christian! “
Turning his attention to Kinzinger, Otto wrote: “It is now very embarrassing for us to be related to you. You embarrassed the Kinzinger family name! We are not judging you. This letter is our opinion of you! “
“Oh, by the way, good luck in your fundraising efforts. We are sure that there are many other good Republican and Christian supporters, ”she continued.
The Post was unable to verify the letter’s authenticity.
Kinzinger’s representatives could not be reached immediately by The Post, nor Otto.
Kinzinger was one of only three Republicans who voted to condemn the former president on his second impeachment and remove Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) From her duties on the committee.
Trump was finally acquitted in a 57-43 Senate vote.
The six-term Republican in the House has never been enthusiastic about the Republican president during his term, regularly criticizing the commander-in-chief for his rhetoric, although he does not normally deviate from him on critical party issues.
Sought by The Times for an interview, Otto said she paid $ 7 to send the letter to her political cousin’s father to make sure the congressman would see it.
The effort worked and Kinzinger saw the letter. She also sent copies, according to the newspaper, to Republicans in Illinois.
“I wanted Adam to be avoided,” she said when reached for the plug.
For his part, the Republican lawmaker said that his family members are “brainwashed” by the conservative churches they attend, which he claims have led them astray.
Kinzinger’s family was not the only group to repudiate the Republican legislator after his impeachment vote.
The House Republican was censored earlier this month by the Central Republican Committee of LaSalle County, which represents his home district.
The censorship was largely symbolic and does not really threaten Kinzinger’s current seat control.
What can speak, however, is whether he can maintain Republican support with the state and local party.