Former Illinois Republican Representative Adam Kinzinger says he was disowned by his family via certified letter after he left Congress and "lost the trust" of Fox News host Sean Hannity.
Kinzinger made the revelation during an interview with Anderson Cooper on CNN Monday, saying he received the letter after he was among the 10 Republicans who voted to impeach President Donald Trump following the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
"So, I had family that sent a certified letter disowning me. They said I've lost the trust of great men like Sean Hannity, which is funny -- but they believe that. They said I was a member of the devil's army," Kinzinger said.
The former congressman was also one of two Republicans who participated in the House committee investigating the Capitol insurrection. The other was Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming. He was never shy about publicly criticizing Trump or other members of the GOP, either.
The letter, first reported by The New York Times in 2021, reads: "Oh my, what a disappointment you are to us and to God! We were once so proud of your accomplishments! Instead, you go against your Christian principles and join the 'devil's army' (Democrats and the fake news media)."
"You should be very proud that you have lost the respect of Lou Dobbs, Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, Greg Kelly etc. and most importantly in our book, Mark Levin and Rush Limbaugh and us!" the letter continued. "It is now most embarrassing to us that we are related to you. You have embarrassed the Kinzinger family name!"
When asked if he still considers himself a Republican, Kinzinger, who is out promoting his new book "Renegade," said yes -- sort of.
"It's a tough question," he responded. "I do, only in that because I don't want to give up on that fight. And this country needs two healthy parties, a healthy Democratic Party and a healthy Republican. So, I'm not gonna give up that title."
Kinzinger admitted that he voted Democrat in the past two elections. He also said if Trump is the GOP nominee in 2024, his vote will go to Biden.
"I really believe it's down to one issue on the ballot," he explained. "The one issue is: Do you believe in democracy or do you believe in authoritarianism?"
If Trump is re-elected, Kinzinger said he sees "not a slide but a sprint" to authoritarianism.
"Because in January 6th, we saw the guardrails, you know, of democracy held. The car hit the rails. It kept you on the road. That rail can't take two hits. And now they know what they're doing. Now they know where the tricks are in the system. I guarantee you, Donald Trump will not put people around him that are loyal to the constitution and will push back," he said. "Those guardrails are being ripped out and that's what I see as what would happen, frankly, if he's re-elected."
Trump has not commented on Kinzinger's remarks.