It Doesn’t End Well’: Kinzinger Criticizes Political Pressure on Military, Intel
Former Congressman Adam Kinzinger issued a stark warning this week about the growing politicization of the U.S. military and intelligence community, saying that such interference usually doesn’t have a great ending. His remarks come amid heightened political rhetoric around national security institutions ahead of the 2026 election cycle.
Kinzinger, a former Air National Guard pilot and one of the most prominent Republican critics of former President Donald Trump, spoke out during an interview on The Hill He expressed concern that partisan efforts to sway or discredit military leadership and intelligence agencies are not only reckless but historically dangerous.
When you start manipulating the military or intelligence services for political gain, it undermines the very foundation of a democratic system, Kinzinger said. It opens the door to authoritarianism, and history shows us time and again it doesn’t end well.
His comments come in response to recent moves by some political figures to question the impartiality of military leaders and intelligence agencies, often portraying them as part of a so-called “deep state. Kinzinger emphasized that while no institution is above scrutiny, deliberate efforts to erode public trust in these agencies for political leverage could have lasting consequences.
We need to ensure accountability, yes. But if you’re tearing down trust in the people who protect us simply because you don’t like their message or because it doesn’t fit your political narrative, then you’re putting national security at risk, he added.
As a former member of the House Select Committee investigating the January 6th Capitol attack, Kinzinger has remained vocal about the dangers of political extremism and institutional mistrust. His continued advocacy underscores a growing concern among former officials about the erosion of bipartisan respect for national defense structures.
Kinzinger’s message was clear politicizing the military and intelligence communities may yield short-term political wins, but the long-term cost to democracy, national unity, and global standing could be devastating.
