Renegade

Renegade Plot Summary

Introduction

January 6, 2021 marked a watershed moment in American democracy. As rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, one Republican congressman watched in horror from his office, gun at the ready, as the unthinkable unfolded. Adam Kinzinger, a military veteran and conservative Republican, found himself at a moral crossroads that would forever alter his political trajectory. Having served his country both in uniform and in Congress, Kinzinger faced a decision that would test his commitment to his oath: stand with his party or stand for democracy itself. Kinzinger's journey represents the collision between patriotism and partisanship in modern America. From his conservative Christian upbringing in Illinois to his military service in Iraq, and from his rise as a Tea Party-backed congressman to his principled stand against Trumpism, his story illuminates the evolution of the Republican Party and the price of political courage. Through his experiences, we witness the transformation of American conservatism, the power of conviction in the face of threats, and the lonely path of a man who chose country over career when it mattered most. His account serves as both warning and inspiration—a reminder that democracy's defenders sometimes emerge from unexpected corners when the foundations of the republic are most threatened.

Chapter 1: Faith, Family, and Conservative Roots

Adam Kinzinger's political identity was shaped long before he ever set foot in Washington. Raised in a devout Christian household in Bloomington, Illinois, he grew up immersed in the values of faith, service, and responsibility. His mother worked as a third-grade public schoolteacher, dedicating herself to educating an increasingly diverse student population. His father served in various roles including business, state welfare, and eventually as an executive with a faith-based organization helping the homeless. The Kinzinger home exemplified midwestern values—stable, secure, and grounded in practical compassion. Their religious life centered around an Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) church, a conservative denomination known for strict behavioral codes and literal biblical interpretation. Unlike many in their congregation, Kinzinger's parents took a more moderate approach to these rules, focusing on the community's supportive aspects rather than its restrictions. Young Adam noticed this difference early on, recalling incidents like being sent home from a church outing for wearing shorts on a 95-degree day. These experiences planted early seeds of independent thinking, as he began questioning the disconnect between professed values and actual behavior. Kinzinger's political awakening came during the Reagan years, which coincided with his childhood. The president's grandfatherly warmth and optimistic vision for America made a lasting impression on the young boy. At the same time, he was developing an interest in aircraft and flying that would later shape his career path. In 1992, at age fourteen, his father took him to a Christian Coalition national conference, exposing him to the emerging alliance between evangelical Christianity and Republican politics. Though he wouldn't fully appreciate the significance until years later, this marked his introduction to the political-religious movement that would eventually transform the GOP. By high school, Kinzinger had developed his own conservative worldview, influenced but not dictated by his religious upbringing. His parents encouraged independent thinking, and he often sought their advice only to choose his own path. This independence would become a defining characteristic throughout his life, though it would eventually put him at odds with a party increasingly demanding ideological purity and loyalty above all else. While other classmates might have been focused on sports or social activities, Kinzinger was tracking election results and campaign dynamics. His precocious interest in politics led him to volunteer for campaigns and put up yard signs as early as grade school. By college age, his political ambitions were already taking shape, culminating in a successful run for the McLean County Board at just twenty years old. The local newspaper endorsed him despite his youth, and he won the election by a narrow margin, becoming the youngest elected official in the county. This early political success, after a brief academic stumble in his freshman year at Illinois State University, reinforced Kinzinger's belief that he had something valuable to contribute to public service. It also established a pattern that would define his career: a willingness to take risks and challenge expectations, coupled with a commitment to principled governance rather than mere partisan advancement.

Chapter 2: From Military Service to Political Ambition

The events of September 11, 2001, changed the trajectory of Adam Kinzinger's life, as they did for so many Americans. That morning, while driving to work at a small technology company in Bloomington, he heard radio host Howard Stern interrupt his show to announce that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. By the time Kinzinger reached his office, the second tower had been hit, and it was clear America was under attack. The overwhelming sense of vulnerability and anger that swept the nation affected him deeply, though unlike many, Kinzinger had already been preparing for military service. Nine months before the attacks, Kinzinger had begun the process of joining the Air Force. His childhood fascination with flight had never disappeared, and despite earlier discouragement about the difficulty of becoming a military pilot, he discovered his college degree made him eligible for flight training. When an opportunity opened with the Wisconsin Air National Guard, he seized it, eventually qualifying to fly KC-135 refueling aircraft – massive flying fuel tanks essential to America's global military reach. Military training transformed Kinzinger in profound ways. Officer Training School and flight school gave him a sense of competence and purpose he had never experienced before. The camaraderie and ethical standards of military life provided a framework for leadership that would later inform his political career. During one deployment, he was given the sobering task of transporting wounded soldiers from Afghanistan to medical care in Germany. Speaking with one badly injured soldier who expressed only concern for the comrades he'd left behind, Kinzinger witnessed firsthand the bonds that form among those who risk their lives together. His most direct combat experience came in Iraq, where he transferred to flying the RC-26, a surveillance aircraft used to track insurgents. Based at Balad Airbase north of Baghdad, Kinzinger participated in intelligence operations tracking enemy commanders and their Iranian allies. These missions carried real risk – the base was frequently targeted by mortar attacks, earning it the nickname "Mortaritaville." The experience gave Kinzinger firsthand insight into the complexities of America's post-9/11 wars and the challenges of counterinsurgency. Between deployments, Kinzinger demonstrated personal courage that brought him unexpected recognition. In Milwaukee one night, he intervened when he saw a woman fleeing a man with a knife who had slashed her throat. Without hesitation, Kinzinger confronted the attacker, grabbing his wrist and subduing him until police arrived. For this act, he received the Airman's Medal, one of the highest non-combat decorations awarded by the Air Force. The incident reinforced his instinct to act decisively in moments of crisis – a trait that would later emerge in his political career. By 2009, after experiencing both the initial success and subsequent challenges of America's Middle East wars, Kinzinger felt called to continue his service in a different arena. With the perspective gained from his military experience, he believed he could contribute meaningfully to national security policy in Congress. In May of that year, standing before a modest crowd at the Boy Scout Museum in Ottawa, Illinois, he announced his candidacy for the House of Representatives, stressing his desire to protect American freedoms and make life better for his constituents. What began as a long-shot campaign would soon benefit from the rising tide of the Tea Party movement and culminate in his election to Congress in 2010.

Chapter 3: The Rise of Trumpism and Party Transformation

When Kinzinger arrived in Congress in January 2011, the Republican Party was in transition. The Tea Party movement that had helped sweep a new class of conservatives into office initially focused on government spending, taxation, and opposition to President Obama's healthcare plan. Speaker John Boehner welcomed Kinzinger into his inner circle, recognizing him as a bridge between traditional Republicans and the energetic new faction. The atmosphere, while partisan, still maintained some of the comity and mutual respect that had long characterized congressional relationships. But beneath the surface, darker currents were already flowing. The Tea Party's grassroots energy was being channeled by well-funded outside groups into increasingly extreme positions. Conspiracy theories flourished, with some Republicans questioning President Obama's citizenship or promoting fears about United Nations takeovers. Cable news hosts and talk radio personalities fueled these narratives, creating information bubbles where facts became secondary to partisan fervor. Though initially skeptical of these trends, Kinzinger found himself navigating a political landscape where compromise was increasingly viewed as betrayal. As a military veteran with expertise in defense policy, Kinzinger sometimes broke with party orthodoxy. He argued that even the Pentagon budget should not be exempt from reasonable spending cuts and voted to support initiatives from the Environmental Protection Agency and National Park Service. These departures from rigid conservative dogma earned him criticism from Tea Party leaders, who began labeling him a "traitor" – an early taste of the intolerance that would later define the movement. Still, Kinzinger maintained his popularity in his district, winning reelection handily in 2014 against a Tea Party challenger. The 2016 presidential campaign marked a decisive turning point. Donald Trump entered the race with a bombastic style that shattered political norms. His insults, conspiracy theories, and authoritarian tendencies alarmed Kinzinger, who initially supported Jeb Bush. As Trump secured the nomination, Kinzinger refused to endorse him, citing concerns about his character and fitness for office. When Trump won the presidency, Kinzinger found himself increasingly isolated within his own party, which was rapidly transforming into what he would later describe as "a fascist cult of personality." At the 2016 Republican National Convention, Kinzinger witnessed troubling signs of this transformation: delegates chanting "Lock her up!" regarding Hillary Clinton, the removal of platform language supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, and Trump's bizarre entrance through artificial fog. The spectacle seemed borrowed from professional wrestling rather than serious politics. Rather than attend Trump's nomination speech, Kinzinger left the convention early, unable to celebrate what he saw as a dangerous turning point for his party. After Trump's election, Republican members of Congress faced a stark choice: embrace the new leader or face his wrath and that of his devoted followers. Many who had privately expressed concerns about Trump became his public defenders. Kinzinger attempted to work with the administration where possible, particularly on military and foreign policy issues, but found himself increasingly disturbed by Trump's erratic behavior and disregard for democratic norms. At one White House meeting about protecting Kurdish allies in Syria, Kinzinger was shocked when Trump dismissed the issue with crude language, asking, "Why would I give a fuck?" Such moments reinforced his growing conviction that Trump represented an existential threat to American democracy and the Republican Party he had once known.

Chapter 4: January 6: Facing the Crisis of Democracy

The 2020 election brought tensions to a breaking point. Though Biden won by more than seven million votes nationally, Trump refused to concede, instead launching an unprecedented campaign to overturn the results. As Kinzinger watched this unfold, he grew increasingly alarmed by fellow Republicans' willingness to indulge Trump's baseless claims of fraud. By December, Kinzinger was receiving warnings from Chris Krebs, the former head of U.S. election security, that violence was likely on January 6 when Congress would certify the Electoral College votes. On that fateful morning, Kinzinger arrived at his office in the Rayburn House Office Building with his personal firearm, anticipating trouble. The initial atmosphere seemed calm, but as he watched events unfold on television, he witnessed Trump's inflammatory speech on the Ellipse followed by the crowd marching toward the Capitol. When he looked out his office window, he saw a stream of people moving with purpose toward the building. Shortly afterward, an emergency alert sounded throughout the complex – something Kinzinger had rarely heard during his decade in Congress. Through security camera feeds, Kinzinger watched in horror as the mob breached the Capitol's defenses. Police were overwhelmed as thousands of rioters, many armed with bats, toxic sprays, and improvised weapons, forced their way into the building chanting threats against Vice President Pence and members of Congress. The scenes reminded Kinzinger of the chaotic urban warfare he had witnessed in Iraq – but this was happening at the heart of American democracy. In that moment, Kinzinger felt his faith in humanity draining away as he realized the depth of the danger Trump had unleashed. Locked in his office with the massive door secured against potential intruders, Kinzinger kept his gun on his desk, praying he wouldn't need to use it. Though not in immediate danger like those trapped in the House chamber, he maintained contact with colleagues who had been evacuated, including his friend Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, who described the terrifying experience. For hours, the Capitol remained under siege while Trump watched the violence on television, refusing repeated pleas to call off his supporters. When Congress reconvened that night to complete the certification process, 147 Republicans – including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy – still voted against accepting electoral votes from certain states. This capitulation to the mob's demands, even after experiencing the violence firsthand, confirmed for Kinzinger that his party had crossed a moral Rubicon. The following day, he became the first Republican to call for Trump's removal from office under the 25th Amendment, citing the president's "complete dereliction of duty" and his becoming "unmoored from reality." In the immediate aftermath, there appeared to be a brief window where Republican leaders might hold Trump accountable. McCarthy initially stated that Trump "bears responsibility" for the attack, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell privately expressed that Trump should be driven from politics. But as the days passed, most Republicans retreated from these positions, fearing Trump's continued hold over the party's base. Kinzinger watched with dismay as his colleagues chose political survival over constitutional duty, setting the stage for his most difficult decision yet.

Chapter 5: Standing Alone: The Cost of Principle

The decision to impeach a president from one's own party requires extraordinary conviction. When House Democrats introduced an article of impeachment against Trump for "incitement of insurrection," Kinzinger knew that voting yes would likely end his political career. Nevertheless, after witnessing the attack and Trump's refusal to intervene, he concluded that his oath to the Constitution demanded nothing less. On January 13, 2021, Kinzinger became one of just ten House Republicans to vote for impeachment. The backlash was swift and severe. Trump supporters labeled him a traitor, and threatening letters arrived at his home, some addressed to his wife, Sofia. One particularly disturbing message from a self-described Christian promised execution for the couple and even targeted their infant son. The Illinois Republican Party and county GOP organizations formally condemned him. Former friends and supporters publicly disavowed him. Perhaps most painful was a letter from several members of his extended family, including his father's cousin, who declared him "a disappointment to the family and to God" and said he had "joined the devil's army." In Congress, the shunning was equally pronounced. Colleagues who had previously been friendly turned their backs when Kinzinger approached. House Minority Leader McCarthy, once an ally, attempted to intimidate him physically, shoulder-checking him in the aisle of the House chamber. During conference calls, Kinzinger's warnings about the dangers of continuing to support Trump's election lies were dismissed or ignored. The message was clear: dissent would not be tolerated in the new Republican Party. Despite these pressures, Kinzinger refused to back down. When Speaker Nancy Pelosi proposed a select committee to investigate the January 6 attack, he accepted her invitation to serve, becoming one of only two Republicans on the panel alongside Rep. Liz Cheney. This decision further cemented his pariah status within the GOP, as McCarthy and others denounced the investigation as a partisan witch hunt. The Republican National Committee formally censured both Kinzinger and Cheney for participating in what they called "persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse." The personal and political isolation took its toll. Kinzinger had built his identity around being a Republican, a conservative, and a patriot. Now, fellow Republicans questioned his loyalty and even his faith. Security concerns meant he could no longer freely visit constituents or attend public events without protection. His wife, who had worked in Republican politics and the Trump administration, faced similar ostracism. Even going to restaurants or gas stations in his district became opportunities for confrontation as angry Trump supporters approached him to voice their displeasure. In October 2021, Kinzinger announced he would not seek reelection to Congress. The newly redrawn Illinois congressional map had eliminated his district, and he recognized that the personal and professional costs of continuing to fight from within a hostile party were too great. "My passion for this country has only grown," he explained. "My desire to make a difference is bigger than it has ever been. My disappointment in the leaders that don't lead is huge. The battlefield must be much broader, and the truth needs to reach the American people across the country." Trump's response was characteristically callous: "2 down, 8 to go!" – referring to the impeachment supporters he was systematically driving from office.

Chapter 6: The Investigation and Search for Truth

As a member of the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, Kinzinger found a new purpose in uncovering the full truth about the insurrection. The committee, chaired by Democrat Bennie Thompson with Republican Liz Cheney as vice chair, embarked on what would become one of the most thorough congressional investigations in history. Over 18 months, they interviewed more than a thousand witnesses and gathered over a million documents, building a comprehensive account of the events leading up to, during, and following the Capitol assault. The committee's work atmosphere stood in stark contrast to the partisan rancor that typically characterized Congress. Despite their political differences, the nine members developed mutual respect and a shared commitment to following the evidence wherever it led. Kinzinger found unexpected rapport with colleagues like Adam Schiff, whom Republicans had long vilified. Having been told to hate Schiff for his role in Trump's first impeachment, Kinzinger instead came to appreciate the Democrat's intelligence, generosity, and humor, solidifying a friendship that transcended party lines. When the committee began public hearings in June 2022, they adopted an innovative approach, structuring the sessions like episodes of a compelling television series. Each hearing focused on a specific aspect of the attempted coup, with committee members taking turns leading the presentations. Kinzinger was assigned to chair the fifth hearing, which examined how Trump had pressured Justice Department officials to support his false election claims. He also co-led the final scheduled hearing with Rep. Elaine Luria, focusing on Trump's 187-minute inaction during the Capitol attack – what they called his "dereliction of duty." The evidence presented was devastating. Witnesses like former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson revealed that Trump knew some of his supporters were armed before directing them to the Capitol. Former Justice Department officials testified about Trump's demands that they declare the election "corrupt" and "leave the rest to me and the Republican congressmen." Video and documentary evidence showed how the former president had edited statements to remove condemnations of the violence and his reluctance to say the election was over even after the attack. In his questioning and statements during the hearings, Kinzinger drew on his military background to emphasize the gravity of an oath of office. During the fifth hearing, he declared, "I remember making a commitment, out loud a few times and in my heart repeatedly even to today, that if we are going to ask Americans to be willing to die in service to our country, we as leaders must at least be willing to sacrifice our political careers when integrity and our oath requires it. After all, losing a job is nothing compared to losing your life." The committee's work culminated in an 845-page final report released in December 2022, along with criminal referrals to the Justice Department recommending that Trump be prosecuted for insurrection, obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and conspiracy to make false statements. For Kinzinger, the report represented not just an accounting of past events, but a warning about ongoing threats to democracy. In his closing statement at the final hearing, he emphasized: "The forces Donald Trump ignited that day have not gone away. The militant, intolerant ideologies, the militias, the alienation and the disaffection, the weird fantasies and disinformation, they're all still out there ready to go."

Chapter 7: Beyond Congress: Finding a New Path Forward

As Kinzinger's congressional term came to an end in January 2023, he faced the challenge of redefining his role in American political life. No longer a member of Congress and effectively exiled from the Republican Party he had served for two decades, he needed to chart a new course. Rather than seeking another elected office immediately, Kinzinger chose to focus on defending democracy through other means, primarily through an organization he founded called Country First. Launched in the days after January 6, Country First was designed as a home for political orphans – Republicans, Democrats, and independents united by their commitment to democratic values over partisan loyalty. The organization advocates for civic engagement, ranked-choice voting, and nonpartisan primaries – reforms intended to reduce political polarization and extremism. Through television advertising, direct mailings, digital campaigns, and voter turnout efforts, Country First aims to support candidates who prioritize country over party regardless of their political affiliation. Kinzinger also embraced a role as a public voice for democratic principles. He joined CNN as a senior political commentator, using this platform to continue warning about the dangers of political extremism and authoritarianism. In media appearances and speaking engagements, he emphasized that defending democracy requires not just opposing negative forces but promoting a positive vision of civic engagement and respectful dialogue across political differences. The personal transition from congressman to private citizen brought unexpected relief. After years of constant political combat and threats to his family's safety, Kinzinger found himself able to focus more on his roles as husband and father. His son Christian, born during his final term in Congress, had rarely experienced his father's undivided attention. Now settled in Houston near his wife Sofia's family, Kinzinger discovered what previous former members had told him: "Trust me, there is life after here." Despite leaving elected office, Kinzinger maintained connections with other democracy defenders across the political spectrum. He found common cause with moderate Republicans, principled conservatives like Russell Moore who rejected Christian nationalism, and even Democrats with whom he disagreed on policy but shared core democratic values. These relationships reinforced his belief that America's "reasonable majority" was larger than the extremes that dominated media coverage and party politics. Looking toward the future, Kinzinger remained both concerned and cautiously optimistic about American democracy. The legal accountability process for January 6 participants was proceeding, with hundreds convicted of crimes related to the attack. Trump himself faced multiple investigations and legal challenges. Though the former president maintained strong support among Republicans, polls suggested his grip on the party was weakening. For Kinzinger, the question was whether enough Americans would recognize the ongoing threat and mobilize to protect democratic institutions before it was too late. "The answer isn't more anger, but an upwelling of goodness," Kinzinger reflected. "We must form small groups that affiliate with other small groups until they become part of a national movement that will not be ignored. This cannot be done in anger, and it cannot include a rejection of those with other views. If they don't listen to us with respect, we must nevertheless listen to them. Turning the other cheek while holding your ground is a powerful thing. Most of all, we have to love our country in a clear-eyed way."

Summary

Adam Kinzinger's journey embodies the profound tension between party loyalty and constitutional duty that has defined recent American politics. His transformation from Tea Party congressman to democracy defender represents both a personal evolution and a warning about the fragility of democratic institutions. At its core, Kinzinger's story demonstrates that genuine patriotism sometimes requires standing against your own tribe when fundamental values are at stake – a lesson as old as the republic yet perpetually in need of courageous examples. The path forward for American democracy depends less on heroic saviors than on ordinary citizens willing to engage constructively across political divides. Kinzinger's experience suggests that rebuilding democratic norms requires rejecting both authoritarian impulses and partisan tribalism in favor of substantive debate about genuine problems. His definition of courage – not as fearlessness but as continuing despite fear – offers a template for civic engagement in polarized times. For those concerned about democratic backsliding, Kinzinger's journey provides both caution about democracy's vulnerabilities and hope that principled individuals can make a difference when it matters most.

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Adam Kinzinger

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