Michigan Congressman Justin Amasn (R) announced last night he was leaving the conservative House Freedom Caucus after calling for President Trump’s impeachment.
Last month, Amash drew criticism from his fellow party members after he argued that the president engaged in “impeachable conduct” and claimed that Attorney General William Barr “deliberately misrepresented” Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia report.
The embattled lawmaker was subsequently rebuked by Freedom Caucus members, who voted unanimously on May 21 to condemn him for his comments.
Freedom Caucus chairman Mark Meadows (R-NC) told reporters, “Justin Amash’s conclusions are poorly informed and fatally flawed and don’t represent the views of any of the Freedom Caucus members that I’m aware of.”
Last night, Amash told CNN reporter Haley Byrd on his decision to leave the group, “I have the highest regard for them, and they’re my close friends. I didn’t want to be a further distraction for the group.”
Soon after his controversial remarks, conservative Michigan State Representative Jim Lower announced he would run as a primary challenger to Amash.
In a statement, Lower said, “I am a Pro-Trump, Pro-Life, Pro-Jobs, Pro-2nd Amendment, Pro-Family Values Republican. Amash has not only failed to support President Trump as the President works to make the United States stronger and safer, he has now united with radical liberals like Democratic Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) to try and bring down our President. He must be replaced and I am going to do it.”
