West Michigan Congressman Justin Amash, who would usually be identified in a piece as "R-3rd," says he's no longer an R. He's officially leaving the Republican Party.
This isn't much of a surprise; Amash has been among a tiny handful of Republicans in the House and the Senate willing to voice his discontent with President Trump, recently declaring that the president committed impeachable offenses connected to Russian election interference. But in an op-ed piece in the Washington Post today, Amash finally states it outright, laying out an argument against hyperpartisanship and saving his declaration for the last paragraph:
Today, I am declaring my independence and leaving the Republican Party. No matter your circumstance, 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.
The piece was published at 6 a.m., and no official reaction has yet been gathered by media outlets. Civilian Twitter is the usual mix of support and condemnation. The Tweeter-in-chief weighed in just after 9 a.m. in typical fashion:
Great news for the Republican Party as one of the dumbest & most disloyal men in Congress is “quitting” the Party. No Collusion, No Obstruction! 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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 4, 2019