Politics

Justin Amash Leaves The Republican Party

REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

William Davis Contributor
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On Independence Day, Michigan Rep. Justin Amash announced he was “declaring my independence” from the Republican party.

The libertarian-leaning congressman announced that he was quitting the party Thursday in an op-ed in the Washington Post. Amash will become the only registered Independent in the House of Representatives. (RELATED: Amash Reacts To Mueller Statement: ‘The Ball Is In Our Court’)

Amash said that the two-party system has become an “existential threat to American principles,” and called for other Americans to join him in rejecting the two party system. (RELATED: Trump Jr. Tries To Taunt Amash Over Low Poll Numbers, Implies He’ll Campaign Against Him)

“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.”

Amash has been a staunch critic of President Donald Trump, and was previously the only Republican to say that the president committed impeachable offenses as outlined in Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report. After his impeachment comments, Amash came under fire from Republican leadership, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Minority Whip Steve Scalise, Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, and Trump himself.

Amash is also facing a primary challenge in Michigan’s 3rd Congressional District, and has not ruled out a presidential run in 2020.