Union-hosted conversation aims to bridge divides and defend democracy

Adam Kinzinger speaks with Reed Galen at the Union event held at Jim Santy auditorium in Park City on May 14, 2025. Photo: Randi Sidman-Moore // TownLift

Former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger, known for his vote to impeach Donald Trump, and Reed Galen, a co-founder of The Lincoln Project spoke at the Jim Santy Auditorium in Park City.

PARK CITY, Utah –Community leaders, local advocates, and engaged Park City residents turned out in droves Wednesday night for a community conversation organized by The Union, a coalition of pro-democracy organizations focused on bridging divides in charged political times.

Former U.S. Senate candidate and environmental activist Caroline Gleich opened the town hall-style meeting with a clear message: protecting democracy is a shared responsibility — and it starts with honest conversation.

“This town hall is about bridging divides, focusing on what connects us, and leading with a clear sense of what we can do next,” Gleich said, setting the tone for an evening centered on civic engagement, coalition-building, and confronting rising threats to democratic institutions.

The event also brought together a broad coalition of nonpartisan groups, including the League of Women Voters, Better Boundaries, Peace House, Ignite Utah, and Stewardship Utah. Their goal: to empower citizens, elevate underrepresented voices, and counter political polarization by creating space for cross-ideological dialogue.

The evening’s keynote guests embodied the town hall’s commitment to country over party: former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger, known for his vote to impeach Donald Trump, and Reed Galen, a co-founder of The Lincoln Project. Both speakers were invited to share their insights on resisting authoritarianism, restoring integrity in politics, and building common ground across ideological lines.

The event also addressed recent political developments closer to home — including Utah’s new ban on Pride flags in schools and government buildings. Gleich called the policy a warning sign, likening it to early stages of authoritarianism: “Democracy depends on visibility, on inclusion, on the freedom to be who you are… That’s why we’re here tonight.”

The town hall served not only as a forum for civic discussion, but also as a call to action. “The work of protecting democracy isn’t someone else’s job,” Gleich said. “It’s ours.”

Among many topics discussed were reflections on Jan. 6 and the war on Ukraine which was described the defining foreign policy test since WWII.

Kinzinger didn’t hold back during a wide-ranging, deeply personal conversation at Tuesday night’s democracy town hall in Park City. Kinzinger offered a candid account of the January 6 Capitol insurrection, his break with the GOP, and his fears about the future of American democracy.

“I always wanted to be known for my work in foreign policy,” Kinzinger said, recalling his time as a U.S. Air Force pilot and member of Congress. “But when you destabilize elections, that’s the fastest way to kill democracy. And that’s what happened.”

Describing January 6 in detail, Kinzinger said he felt compelled to bring his firearm to the Capitol for the first time. As the rioters breached the perimeter, he returned to his office, overlooking the west front of the Capitol, and watched the violence unfold.

“I’ve never in my life felt the presence of evil — not in Iraq or Afghanistan — until that moment,” he said. “I stood there with my gun on the desk, thinking I might have to kill Americans or be willing to die without pulling the trigger. That’s how serious it was.”

Kinzinger criticized many of his former Republican colleagues for what he called a cowardly retreat from democratic principles, particularly those who privately condemned Donald Trump but publicly defended him. “They salute the flag-draped coffins at Dover and talk about sacrifice, but they won’t risk their political careers to defend the Constitution,” he said. “Screw them.”

Galen added, “Once political violence enters the lexicon, it’s incredibly hard to get it out. January 6 changed everything.”

The conversation also turned to the war in Ukraine. Kinzinger argued that U.S. support for Ukraine is not just a humanitarian issue but a test of whether the global order shaped after World War II can survive. He accused parts of the American right of “playing footsie with Russia” and said Donald Trump has “never once criticized Vladimir Putin.”

“We are flushing the post-World War II order down the toilet,” Kinzinger warned. “That system wasn’t built out of charity — it was built to benefit America. When we walk away from that, we lose leadership, we lose influence, and we lose who we are.”

Both speakers encouraged attendees to stay engaged, vote, and reject cynicism.

“There’s still time to fight for what’s right,” Kinzinger said. “But the clock is ticking.”