Adam Kinzinger: Donald Trump must be held accountable

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) recently shed light on different aspects of the House Select Committee's hearings as he painted a damning picture of former President Donald Trump and his allies over their attempted coup to overturn the outcome of the presidential election.

During an appearance on Stephen Colbert's "The Late Show," Kinzinger emphasized why it's important for the former president and his allies to be held accountable. According to the Republican lawmaker, who has been a vocal critic of Trump, there are no excuses for his actions.

“When you try to overthrow the will of the people, and you try a coup in the United States government, you have to pay for that. Period,” said Kinzinger.

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The Illinois lawmaker also weighed in with his take on the influx of requests for presidential pardons after the insurrection on the U.S. Capitol. Former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, Trump's former personal attorney Rudy Giuliani and several Republican lawmakers had all sought pardons, according to testimony this week from a former White House aide.

Kinzinger also explained the true purpose of a presidential pardon and when it should be sought.

“You do not seek a pardon unless you actually think that either you committed a crime or you’re concerned that maybe you committed a crime,” Kinzinger said.

“They knew what they were doing,” he added. “These Republican members of Congress knew what they were doing, and they need to be shamed for it in the very least.”

Watch Kinzinger's interview below or at this link.

"When You Try A Coup, You Have To Pay For That. Period." - Rep. Adam Kinzingeryoutu.be

Kinzinger's remarks come as the House Select Committee continues its investigation into the Capitol insurrection. Lawmakers are aggressively working to build a case that may also lead to accountability for the former president and many of his allies.