Donald Trump must learn that "your words have impact" — and GOP legislators need to work to "bring Donald Trump to a position where he starts to sound like a Republican," Rep. Adam Kinzinger said Thursday.
"That he speaks in tones worthy of a guy like Ronald Reagan and Abraham Lincoln," the Illinois Republican told Wolf Blitzer on
CNN.
Kinzinger, 38, who was elected to Congress in the tea party wave in 2010, endorsed Jeb Bush before he dropped out the primary race in February. He has not endorsed the presumptive presidential nominee.
The representative, a former member of the House Foreign Relations Committee, told Blitzer that he would encourage Trump to tone down his fiery rhetoric that has made many allies nervous.
"The first thing I would say is: 'Mr. Nominee, you have to understand that your words have impact. Our allies in the Middle East are concerned about what you're saying. It is affecting them.
"Not everybody in United Arab Emirates is pro-West, but it is a pro-Western government. Your words have an impact.
"Talk about American leadership," Kinzinger added. "Populism is one thing; populism on foreign policy is something completely different.
"The job of the presidency and the debate is worthy of adult discussions, not just populous rhetoric."