North Carolina Rep. Mark Walker called on Michigan Republican Rep. Justin Amash to leave the House Republican Conference after Amash announced on Independence Day that he is leaving the Republican party.
Walker was the first member in House Republican leadership to call on Amash to leave the conference, saying “we simply ran out of space for his ego,” and that “we should make sure he leaves Conference and his committee.” This all comes as Amash announced in May that he thought the House should begin impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump.
Amash left the @freedomcaucus now he’s leaving the @GOP. The @HouseGOP never left @justinamash – we simply ran out of space for his ego. However, we should make sure he leaves Conference and his committee.
— Rep. Mark Walker (@RepMarkWalker) July 4, 2019
Amash criticized the two-party system, saying it has become an “existential threat to American principles,” and called for other Americans to join him in pushing back against have just two-parties. (RELATED: Justin Amash Leaves The Republican Party)
Today, I’m declaring my independence.https://t.co/4e5TeVtGRK
— Justin Amash (@justinamash) July 4, 2019
“Today, I am declaring my independence and leaving the Republican Party,” Amash wrote. “I’m asking you to join me in rejecting the partisan loyalties and rhetoric that divide and dehumanize us. I’m asking you to believe that we can do better than this two-party system — and to work toward it. If we continue to take America for granted, we will lose it.”
Trump said Thursday that it is “great news” that Amash is leaving the GOP.
“Great news for the Republican Party as one of the dumbest & most disloyal men in Congress is ‘quitting’ the Party. No Collusion, No Obstruction!” Trump tweeted. “Knew he couldn’t get the nomination to run again in the Great State of Michigan. Already being challenged for his seat. A total loser!”
Amash has not yet decided on possibly running for president in 2020 against Trump.