Trump 'stifled the spirit' of the GOP, says ex-Republican Adam Kinzinger.

• In his speech at the Democratic National Convention, former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger claimed that Donald Trump had "stifled the spirit of the Republican Party."
• From 2011 to 2023, Kinzinger served as a congressman for Illinois and was one of only ten Republicans to vote to impeach Trump following the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
• Several ex-Trump supporters and aides appeared at the DNC this week, urging their fellow Republicans to abandon their party and its leader by backing Harris.

In his speech at the Democratic National Convention, former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger stated that "Donald Trump has stifled the spirit of the Republican Party," and subsequently endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris for president.

"His fundamental weakness has spread through our party like a disease, draining our energy, weakening our resolve, and causing us to lose our sense of purpose," he stated.

Kinzinger, who served as Illinois' congressman from 2011 to 2023, delivered his speech not to the Democrats at the United Center in Chicago on Thursday night, but to his fellow Republicans.

"I've discovered that the Democratic Party is just as patriotic as us, and I want to share this with my fellow Republicans," he said. "The Democrats are just as passionate about defending American values at home and abroad as we conservatives have always been."

"I've learned something about my party, too. Something I couldn't ignore," he said. "The Republican Party has shifted its ideology. It has abandoned its traditional values and has become more self-centered."

Kinzinger, who in his speech stated that he still identifies as a Republican, was a critic of Trump prior to the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol.

During the aftermath of the violent uprising, Kinzinger was among the few Republicans who voted to impeach Trump during his second impeachment proceeding.

Kinzinger and Cheney were the only Republicans on the committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot, which Kinzinger also voted to establish.

"The events of January 6th damaged our democracy, as Donald Trump's lies and dishonesty led to an attack on the US Capitol," he stated. "Can a party truly call itself patriotic if it worships a man who attempted to undermine a free and fair election?"

In June, Kinzinger endorsed Democrat Joe Biden before the president dropped his bid for reelection, but he was not the first Republican to speak at this year's Democratic convention.

Several ex-Trump supporters and aides appeared at the DNC this week, urging their fellow Republicans to abandon their party and its leader by backing Harris.

"Kinzinger stated that democracy is not affiliated with any political party. Instead, it is a fundamental principle that distinguishes us as a nation. It serves as the foundation that separates us from oppression, and when this foundation is weakened, we must all work together to reinforce it."

"If you value those principles, I urge you to vote for Kamala Harris and our bedrock values."