Donald Trump Jr.'s meeting with a Russian lawyer during his father's campaign "isn't treason," according to one Republican congressman.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., said Friday on CNN's "New Day" that although he wouldn't have taken the meeting, it doesn't qualify as "treason," as some Democrats have claimed.
When asked by CNN's John Berman if he would have agreed to the meeting, the congressman said, "No, absolutely not," and added that he would have informed the FBI.
"That's when I, frankly, if it would have happened to me, I would call the FBI and say, 'Hey, this government or that government is offering me information. Do you want me to take this meeting as counterespionage or something?' But I certainly would not take a meeting with any kind of foreign intelligence agency."
He added that "There are some on the other side of the aisle who are really hysteric about this. I've heard the word treason. This isn't treason."
Although Kinzinger did warn his colleagues in the GOP not to ignore Trump Jr.'s actions.
"On the other hand, to dismiss this, to say anybody would have met with anybody, that may be the case if someone emails you and says 'hey, I have some information on your opponent.' But when you see it's from the Russian government, courtesy of your friend Vladimir or whatever, that's when you hit 'hard stop' on that."
He concluded with a message for future candidates: "If you hear that something is provided by a government, even if it's our friends in Canada or Australia, that's when you go to the FBI."
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.