Adam Kinzinger has escalated tensions with President Donald Trump by threatening legal action should Trump attempt to void pardons related to the January 6th Capitol riots. Kinzinger remains firm in his stance against what he perceives as Trump’s continued obsession with the Capitol riot aftermath. Could this lead to a Supreme Court battle over presidential pardon powers?
Kinzinger’s Bold Challenge to Trump
Former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger has publicly dared President Donald Trump to bring charges against him related to his work on the January 6 Committee. The confrontation emerged during Kinzinger’s appearance on CNN’s “The Lead” with Jake Tapper, where he responded to Trump’s declaration that certain pardons, including one allegedly issued to Kinzinger, were void.
Kinzinger didn’t mince words when addressing the president’s claims about the legitimacy of pardons related to January 6. “If he wants to come after me, if he wants to have the Justice Department charge me, bring it on, dude, because I will crush you in court,” Kinzinger stated emphatically during the interview.
Jake Tapper: What was your reaction when you saw Trump's post last night? Declaring your preemptive pardon void and vacant?
Adam Kinzinger: "Bring it on! Like, honestly…! There is one person that's obsessed about the sixth (J6) because he still has been basically deemed… pic.twitter.com/VZCRd5a997
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) March 17, 2025
Questioning Trump’s Motives
During the CNN segment, Kinzinger suggested Trump’s statements about voiding pardons might be more about grabbing headlines than actual legal strategy. He characterized Trump’s focus on January 6th as an obsession, contrasting it with his readiness to move forward following the recent election results.
Kinzinger expressed bewilderment at Trump’s continued fixation on the Capitol riot and its aftermath. “I’m ready to move on from January 6. America has made its decision in this election, but Donald Trump seems obsessed with January 6,” Kinzinger remarked during the interview.
Adam Kinzinger Has a Fiery Message for Donald Trump If He Seeks to Charge Him for J6 Lies: 'Bring It!'
"So, my reaction to him is like, you know what? Then bring it! Like, stop talking about it! Stop being all verbose. Stop pretending like you’re tough."
"Bring the charges then… pic.twitter.com/kgcUfbrKKG
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) March 18, 2025
Constitutional Questions About Pardon Powers
The confrontation between Kinzinger and Trump raises significant constitutional questions about the permanence of presidential pardons. Legal experts have generally held that once issued, presidential pardons cannot be revoked by subsequent administrations, as they represent a final executive decision under Article II of the Constitution.
Trump’s declaration about voiding pardons has sparked concern among constitutional scholars about potential precedents. If a president could retroactively invalidate pardons issued by predecessors, it would fundamentally alter the understanding of executive clemency powers that have existed throughout American history.
The dispute highlights the ongoing political divisions stemming from the January 6th Capitol riot and its aftermath. Despite the passage of time and recent electoral developments, the legal and political repercussions from that day continue to reverberate through American politics and potentially the court system.