Adam Kinzinger calls 'con artist' Josh Hawley 'one of the worst human beings'


Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) told the world exactly how he feels about Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), calling him "one of the worst human beings" who should be "ashamed" of things he's done.
Kinzinger blasted Hawley on Wednesday after the senator sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken that said the Biden administration should stop supporting Ukraine in its efforts to be admitted into NATO. Instead, Hawley stated, the U.S. needs to focus on "denying China's hegemonic ambitions in the Indo-Pacific." Russia, which has amassed tens of thousands of troops along the border with Ukraine, has demanded that Ukraine not be admitted into NATO.
Hawley's letter struck a nerve with Kinzinger, who tweeted in response, "I hate to be so personal, but Hawley is one of the worst human beings, and a self egrandizing [sic] con artist." Hawley is a supporter of former President Donald Trump who helped lead efforts to contest President Biden's election victory and raised his fist in support of protesters at the Capitol on Jan. 6, and Kinzinger said that when "Trump goes down," he hopes Hawley's "evil" will be out in the open "for all to see, and be ashamed of."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Kinzinger wasn't the only person to call out Hawley – on Wednesday afternoon, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, "If you are digesting Russian misinformation and parroting Russian talking points, you are not aligned with long-standing bipartisan American values, which is to stand up for the sovereignty of countries like Ukraine, but others."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
6 sun-drenched homes by the sea
Feature Featuring a large patio overlooking the ocean in Laguna Beach and a marble rainfall shower in Norwalk
-
Is China winning the AI race?
Today's Big Question Or is it playing a different game than the US?
-
5 refreshing podcasts you may have missed this spring
The Week Recommends Exploring the cultural impact of Jerry Springer, a look at contemporary spending habits and more
-
Trump hits Africa, Middle East with new travel ban
Speed Read The travel ban bars visitors from 12 countries and restricts entry from seven
-
Elon Musk slams Trump's 'pork-filled' signature bill
speed read 'Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong,' Musk posted on X
-
Depleted FEMA struggling as hurricane season begins
speed read FEMA has lost a third of its workforce amid DOGE cuts enforced by President Donald Trump
-
White House tackles fake citations in MAHA report
speed read A federal government public health report spearheaded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was rife with false citations
-
Judge blocks push to bar Harvard foreign students
speed read Judge Allison Burroughs sided with Harvard against the Trump administration's attempt to block the admittance of international students
-
Trump's trade war whipsawed by court rulings
Speed Read A series of court rulings over Trump's tariffs renders the future of US trade policy uncertain
-
Elon Musk departs Trump administration
speed read The former DOGE head says he is ending his government work to spend more time on his companies
-
Trump taps ex-personal lawyer for appeals court
speed read The president has nominated Emil Bove, his former criminal defense lawyer, to be a federal judge