On eve of rally, Kinzinger refutes GOP 'denialism'

Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, is criticizing an an upcoming Washington protest that aims to rewrite history about the violent January assault on the U.S. Capitol.

A Republican, Kinzinger, says it has become a "fetish" among those protesting on Saturday to call for what he considers the "overthrowing of the government."

"There has been this new, I call it fetish, lately, of overthrowing the government and people playing dress up as militia, maybe because they've never served in their life and they're bored. But that's got to be pushed back against. That is really dangerous long term for this country," Kinzinger said in an interview with the AP ahead of the planned rally.

He also criticized Republicans who continue to deny or downplay the insurrection and the false claims that have surfaced since then.

Kinzinger, who has served in Iraq and is part of the Air National Guard, says that the denials by Republicans of the assault that happened on the US Capitol takes a mental toll on law enforcement and military who vowed to protect the U.S. Capitol.

"That's taken a real emotional toll on them because the party that they thought was there to support them, has basically pretended like their, their wounds aren't real," he said.

Kinzinger, who has faced pressure from his own party for criticizing former President Donald Trump, says the former president bares responsibility for "what's led to this moment" by falsely claiming "the election was stolen."