Former Illinois Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger announced his support for President Joe Biden on Wednesday, one day before the first presidential debate of the 2024 cycle against former President Donald Trump .
Kinzinger, one of Trump's fiercest GOP critics, said the former president poses a "direct threat" to American values, referencing Trump's actions after he lost the 2020 election.
"I'm a proud conservative. I always have been. As a proud conservative, I've always put democracy and our Constitution above all else," Kinzinger said in a video posted on X. "And it's because of my unwavering support for democracy that today, as a proud conservative, I am endorsing Joe Biden for reelection."
"This is what putting your country before your party looks like," Biden replied. "I'm grateful for your endorsement, Adam."
"Our campaign is proud to earn the support of Congressman Kinzinger, a true public servant who is a model for putting our country and our democracy over party and blind acquiescence to Trump," Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez added.
The former congressman was one of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump in 2021 before retiring from Congress in 2022. Kinzinger was also one of two Republicans who served on the House select committee that investigated the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. His actions have long angered Trump's allies in the GOP, contributing to his decision not to seek another term in office.
"So while I certainly don't agree with President Biden on everything, and I never thought I'd be endorsing a Democrat for president, I know that he will always protect the very thing that makes America the best country in the world: our democracy," Kinzinger said before directly criticizing Trump.
"Donald Trump poses a direct threat to every fundamental American value," Kinzinger continued. "He doesn't care about our country. He doesn't care about you. He only cares about himself, and he will hurt anyone or anything in pursuit of power."
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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), one of Trump's top allies, excoriated Kinzinger's endorsement of Biden on X and downplayed its impact. "Oh look, Kinzinger finally came out of the closet," the Georgia congresswoman said of his party affiliation. "As usual, we knew all along, so not a surprise and none of us care."
Since leaving Congress, Kinzinger has joined CNN as a senior political commentator. His endorsement comes as the Biden campaign is courting centrist Republicans and independents put off by Trump's takeover of the GOP. The campaign has ramped up efforts to court supporters of Republican former presidential candidate Nikki Haley who staged anti-Trump protest votes during primary contests this year. Yet Haley, unlike Kinzinger, said she would support Trump in November.
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