Former President Donald Trump is making waves yet again with his latest controversial claim—insisting that many of President Joe Biden’s pardons are “VOID” based on unverified allegations that an autopen was used to sign them. But while Trump stirs legal uncertainty, one former Republican lawmaker is turning the tables, throwing down a daring challenge directly at the ex-president.
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), one of the few GOP members who stood against Trump during the investigation into the January 6th attack, is calling Trump’s bluff. In a bold response to Trump’s recent fiery rhetoric, Kinzinger is essentially telling Trump: If you think I’m guilty, then arrest me.
Trump’s latest tirade, posted on his social media platform, accuses Biden of improperly issuing pardons, though legal experts have quickly debunked his claim. The Constitution gives presidents broad clemency powers, and the method of signature—whether by hand or autopen—does not invalidate the action. Still, Trump’s statement has sparked outrage and confusion among his followers, some of whom believe it could justify reversing the pardons.
But Kinzinger, a staunch critic of Trump and one of only two Republicans on the House committee that investigated the former president’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, is refusing to back down. In a pointed message, Kinzinger scoffed at Trump’s legal threats and dared him to follow through.
“Stop pretending like you’re tough,” Kinzinger fired back on X (formerly Twitter). “If you think I’m guilty, arrest me.”
Kinzinger’s defiance is not surprising. Since leaving Congress, he has continued to call out Trump’s influence on the GOP, warning that the former president’s grip on the party is leading it down a dangerous path. He has been one of Trump’s most vocal Republican critics, repeatedly condemning his false election claims and his role in the events of January 6th.
Trump’s legal threats against his opponents are nothing new. He has frequently hinted at seeking retribution against political adversaries if he returns to office in 2025. In campaign speeches and online rants, Trump has suggested prosecuting figures who challenged him, including members of the January 6th committee.
However, legal experts are quick to dismiss Trump’s threats as baseless. “A president does not have unilateral power to declare pardons void, nor does he have the authority to order arbitrary arrests,” said one constitutional law professor. “This is rhetoric designed to inflame his base, not actual legal doctrine.”
Despite this, Trump’s claims have real-world consequences. His supporters have latched onto his assertions, leading to growing online chatter about potential revenge prosecutions under a second Trump administration. The idea of using the justice system to punish political opponents has alarmed democracy advocates, who warn that such rhetoric undermines the rule of law.
Kinzinger, for his part, appears unfazed. Since leaving Congress, he has joined CNN as a political commentator and launched a political action committee aimed at combating Trumpism within the Republican Party. His latest challenge to Trump only adds to his reputation as a rare GOP figure willing to stand up to the former president.
Whether Trump will take the bait remains to be seen. But one thing is clear—Kinzinger isn’t backing down, and he’s making sure the world knows it.
