Rep. Adam Kinzinger posts audio of 'foul and graphic' threats to congressional office
WASHINGTON - Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., on Tuesday shared a compilation of expletive-laden and threatening voicemails and phone calls recently made to his office.
"Threats of violence over politics has increased heavily in the last few years. But the darkness has reached new lows," Kinzinger wrote on Twitter, describing the audio as "foul and graphic."
Threats of violence over politics has increased heavily in the last few years. But the darkness has reached new lows. My new interns made this compilation of recent calls they’ve received while serving in my DC office.
WARNING: this video contains foul & graphic language. pic.twitter.com/yQJvvAHBVV— Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) July 5, 2022
Many of the calls include death wishes and threats toward the Illinois congressman and his family.
One caller said he hopes Kinzinger "naturally dies as quickly as f---ing possible," and another wished he'd get terminal cancer. Another said he knows where Kinzinger's family lives and are going to "get you... gonna get your wife, gonna get your kids." And another suggested he would "swing for f---ing treason."
One of the threats included religious language, wishing for the "wrath of the Lord God Almighty" to come down on Kinzinger and his family. Another called Kinzinger a "backstabbing son of a b----" for going against former President Donald Trump.
All the calls were received by high school or college level interns in his office, Kinzinger said.
Interns field hate: 'Do you guys know how stupid you are?' Congressional staffers field increasingly abusive calls
Kinzinger is one of nine members of the Jan. 6 committee, many of whom have also reported an increase in threats. The Washington Post reported June 22 that all members of the Jan. 6 committee are likely to receive a security detail.
Kinzinger told CNN last month that he increased personal security, and other lawmakers beefed up their own security amid increased violent threats, according to reports. Reps. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., chairman of the committee, and Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., the vice chair, have already had security detail for some time, according to reports.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Adam Kinzinger shares 'foul and graphic' threats received by office