Speculation has been rampant for months about Representative Justin Amash’s plans for 2020. The Libertarian with the Republican (R) next to his name for election purposes has been critical of his own party’s actions, especially when it comes to spending and military adventurism. Now, he’s taken a step all the way to the point of no return by condemning the President as well as Attorney General William Barr.

He’s even supporting impeachment.

Here are my principal conclusions:

1. Attorney General Barr has deliberately misrepresented Mueller’s report.

2. President Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct.

3. Partisanship has eroded our system of checks and balances.

4. Few members of Congress have read the report. — Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 18, 2019

In comparing Barr’s principal conclusions, congressional testimony, and other statements to Mueller’s report, it is clear that Barr intended to mislead the public about Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s analysis and findings. — Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 18, 2019

Under our Constitution, the president “shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.” While “high Crimes and Misdemeanors” is not defined, the context implies conduct that violates the public trust. — Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 18, 2019

In fact, Mueller’s report identifies multiple examples of conduct satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice, and undoubtedly any person who is not the president of the United States would be indicted based on such evidence. — Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 18, 2019

While impeachment should be undertaken only in extraordinary circumstances, the risk we face in an environment of extreme partisanship is not that Congress will employ it as a remedy too often but rather that Congress will employ it so rarely that it cannot deter misconduct. — Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 18, 2019

We’ve witnessed members of Congress from both parties shift their views 180 degrees—on the importance of character, on the principles of obstruction of justice—depending on whether they’re discussing Bill Clinton or Donald Trump. — Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 18, 2019

America’s institutions depend on officials to uphold both the rules and spirit of our constitutional system even when to do so is personally inconvenient or yields a politically unfavorable outcome. Our Constitution is brilliant and awesome; it deserves a government to match it. — Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 18, 2019



To me, these do not sound like the words of someone about to run for president. It sounds more like the rallying cry of someone who knows their cause is fruitless but who is unwilling to fight the cause from within their current place in government. There are plenty of issues he could have with the GOP and President Trump, from high budgets and massive spending to failures on so many important issues like North Korea, Obamacare repeal, and gun owner rights.

In other words, this sounds to me like someone who’s throwing in the towel, not throwing his hat into the ring.

Predictably, the President’s supporters were outraged on Twitter:

It’s sad to see Congressman Amash parroting the Democrats’ talking points on Russia. The only people still fixated on the Russia collusion hoax are political foes of @realDonaldTrump hoping to defeat him in 2020 by any desperate means possible. — Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) May 19, 2019

Justin Amash used to be one of my favorite members of Congress He used to fight for liberty and the constitution Now he is fixated on adoration from the left & media He ignores Trump’s WINS on every front Amash, you have let us ALL DOWN We will now primary you You will lose — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) May 19, 2019

Point 1:

-Amash does not provide *any* examples of Barr lying/misrepresenting

-Both CNN & The Washington Post have reported that Mueller said nothing in Barr's letter was inaccurate Point 2:

-As the brilliant @Josh_Hammer notes, impeachment has a purposefully malleable standard https://t.co/g5aTFNsP9p — Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) May 18, 2019

Point 3 & 4:

-Accurate Things to remember:

-Amash tweeted this on a Saturday & the major anti-Trump accounts immediately promoted it; this will be covered on the Sunday news shows

-In a March CNN interview, Amash *refused* to rule out running for president This was a PR stunt — Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) May 18, 2019

Justin Amash is the Jeff Flake of Louise Menches — Jack Posobiec ?? (@JackPosobiec) May 18, 2019

Here are my principal conclusions. Primary Rep. Justin Amash. Will not be tough. — Carmine Sabia (@CarmineSabia) May 18, 2019

LOL, THIS IDIOT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A #NEVERTRUMP – Justin Amash becomes first Republican in Congress to call for Trump's impeachment https://t.co/G9g882VQ2o — Bill Mitchell (@mitchellvii) May 18, 2019

Go Away…. GOP Rep. @JustinAmash Calls for Impeachment of President Trump https://t.co/jXez9zXEL9 via @gatewaypundit — Jim Hoft (@gatewaypundit) May 18, 2019

Ah, I see Justin Amash is molding his presidential run around The Bulwark’s strategy of dunking on Republicans for attention and a cheap CNN appearance. I’m sure this will go great for him. — Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) May 19, 2019

The only people who care what Justin Amash thinks who aren’t named “Justin Amash” have been super bored for the last couple years since weed got pretty much legalized. — Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) May 18, 2019

.⁦@justinamash⁩ was the only “Republican” who supported illegal aliens voting. “Six Democrats did manage to vote in a manner noting that illegal immigrants should not be allowed to vote, while one Republican, Justin Amash (R-MI), did not.” https://t.co/agCPGTRMbJ — John Cardillo (@johncardillo) May 19, 2019



The only thing that leads me to believe he really may be considering a run, other than the fact that he has never said he won’t run, is the timing of the Tweets. There’s only one reason to make the news on a Saturday afternoon: to become a point of discussion for Sunday morning political shows. If he wants this to be talked about, then either he really wants the futile effort of impeachment to move forward or he’s seriously considering running for president.

Keep a close eye on him. He’s the justification many #NeverTrump conservatives and Libertarians may need to give them someone other than Bill Weld to support. He likely isn’t a real threat to the President, but could be a disruption.

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