Rep. Justin Amash (I-Mich.) made headlines for leaving the Republican Party in the summer of 2019, writing that, âModern politics is trapped in a partisan death spiral.â
And now the Independent politician is exploring running for president.
Amash has a dedicated following among libertarians, but President Donald Trump didnât seem too intimidated by the new challenger.
In a Wednesday morning tweet, Trump wrote, âI think Amash would make a wonderful candidate, especially since he is way behind in his district and has no chance of maintaining his Congressional seat.â
He added, âHe almost always votes for the Do Nothing Dems anyway. I like him even more than Jill Stein!â
Trumpâs tweet about Amashâs chances was responding to a Washington Post editorial by former Republican Congressman Joe Walsh, who briefly ran against Trump in the GOP primary.
Walsh argued that Amashâs 2020 run would help Trump get re-elected, writing, âHe can siphon enough votes from the Democratic nominee, Joe Biden, to hand the election to Trump.â
He added, âThe only candidate who can beat Trump is the Democratic Party nominee.â
In a conversation with The Daily Beast, Walsh was even more blunt, saying, âI think itâs absolute bullsh*t what doing.â
In tweets announcing the creation of an exploratory committee, Amash said, âWeâre ready for a presidency that will restore respect for our Constitution and bring people together. Iâm excited and honored to be taking these first steps toward serving Americans of every background as president.â
Amash came in on the Tea Party wave, when Republicans took back the House in 2010, after the election of former President Barack Obama. But heâs been outspoken about being disillusioned with the GOP in the age of Trump.
Still, the Michigan congressman wasnât a figure in the presidential conversation until very recently. He didnât even tease his 2020 run until mid-April, when he responded to a fan on Twitter by saying that he was âlooking closelyâ at a run.
