Kinzinger defends Biden's comments on prosecuting those who defy Jan. 6 subpoenas

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) on Sunday defended President Biden's support for prosecuting those who defy subpoenas from the Jan. 6 select committee, telling CNN's "State of the Union" that Biden has "every right" to make his position clear.

Driving the news: Biden said Friday that he hoped the Justice Department would prosecute those who defy subpoenas and hold them accountable.

• His remarks came a day after former President Donald Trump's ally Steve Bannon failed to show up for a deposition before the committee.
• The Justice Department issued a statement Friday reiterating its independence, per Politico.

The big picture: Kinzinger, one of two Republicans on the Jan. 6 subcommittee and a staunch Trump critic, said Biden's comments were appropriate and that "the President has every right to signal. I think he has every right to make it clear where the administration stands.”

• "God knows, the prior administration every two hours was trying to signal to the Justice Department," he added.
• “I think the president has made it clear we need answers to this," he said, adding that the "vast majority" of Americans agree.
• The coming vote on a criminal contempt referral for Bannon, Kinzinger said, signals to anyone asked to appear before the committee the seriousness of the investigation.