Prominent Republicans discuss the need for an uncomfortable alliance on democracy to prevent its failure, despite the issues that divide them. They reflect on the sacrifice of going against Trump and the personal reasons behind it while acknowledging the difficulty of forming such an alliance. The chapter highlights the price paid for speaking out against Trump, including death threats and personal security concerns.
After Kara and Nayeema discuss Dianne Feinstein’s death and her legacy as a leader, we turn to Kara's interview with Adam Kinzinger. The former Republican congressman has said he would only vote for Trump in one scenario: if his opponent were Satan.
Once a rising star in the Tea Party, Kinzinger is now a leading voice inside the GOP’s anti-Trump cohort. He was one of only ten House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump after January 6, 2021 — and, like many of his peers, he paid a high price: his seat in Congress.
We discuss whether his political sacrifice was worth it, what happens in the “Trump Resistance” text chain and why so many Republicans won’t come out against Trump — even when they see him as a threat to democracy.
This conversation was taped live at the Texas Tribune Festival on September 22, 2023.
Questions or comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find us on social media. We’re on Instagram/Threads as @karaswisher and @nayeemaraza
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