Rep. Justin Amash
Justin AmashThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Trump on US coronavirus risks: 'We're very, very ready for this' House passes historic legislation to make lynching a federal hate crime Barr ensnared in Roger Stone firestorm MORE (R-Mich.) received a standing ovation Tuesday evening at his first public event since becoming the first Republican to call for President Trump
Donald John TrumpThis week: Surveillance, travel ban fights play out amid growing coronavirus concerns Juan Williams: Democratic voters rebuff Bernie's revolution Judd Gregg: Trump sails into the perfect political storm MORE's impeachment.
At a town hall in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Amash criticized House Republican leadership, including Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy
Kevin Owen McCarthyThis week: Surveillance, travel ban fights play out amid growing coronavirus concerns Sunday shows preview: Trump administration gears up for new week of coronavirus response; Sanders prepares for next phase of primaries House makes telework plans amid coronavirus outbreak MORE (R-Calif.), whom he called the “so-called leader.”
“I read the Mueller report. I’m sure he didn’t read it,” Amash said of McCarthy. “He resorted to ad hominem attacks; that’s the kind of ‘leadership’ we now have in Congress.”
Amash takes a swing at his “so-called leader,” @GOPLeader, who had accused him of seeking attention w his Trump tweets. “I read the Mueller report. I’m sure he didn’t read it. He resorted to ad hominem attacks; that’s the kind of ‘leadership’ we now have in Congress."
— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) May 28, 2019
McCarthy has accused Amash of seeking attention with his remarks and told reporters Amash was “out of step with this conference” and “out of step with America.”
Amash reaffirmed his position that special counsel Robert Mueller
Robert (Bob) Swan MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE’s report outlines impeachable conduct by Trump.
“I’m confident that if you read volume two, you will be appalled at much of the conduct. And I was appalled by it. And that’s why I stated what I stated. That’s why I came to that conclusion,” he said. “We can’t let conduct like that go unchecked.”
Here's a big fat quote that sums up where Amash is coming from. Big applause at the end: pic.twitter.com/vHg6PxJhR9
— Sam Easter (@SamKWEaster) May 28, 2019
Amash, who has drawn a Trump-supporting primary challenger, said he was not concerned his remarks about Trump could cost him his seat. Two GOP Trump critics, former Sens. Jeff Flake
Jeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeDonald Trump Jr. says he inherited 'Tourette's of the thumbs' from his father Appeals court refuses to throw out Joe Arpaio's guilty verdict after Trump pardon 70 former senators propose bipartisan caucus for incumbents MORE (Ariz.) and Bob Corker
Robert (Bob) Phillips CorkerMcConnell, Romney vie for influence over Trump's trial RNC says ex-Trump ambassador nominee's efforts 'to link future contributions to an official action' were 'inappropriate' Lindsey Graham basks in the impeachment spotlight MORE (Tenn.), retired in 2018, and another, former Rep. Mark Sanford
Mark SanfordBoston Globe endorses Trump's GOP challenger Bill Weld Trump challenger Bill Weld rules out 2020 independent bid Judge throws out lawsuit against South Carolina GOP for canceling 2020 primary MORE (S.C.), was defeated in his 2018 primary. While Amash declined to rule out a Libertarian Party presidential bid, he denied he had that in mind when he made the original comments.
Amash also faced criticism from the event’s audience, with one attendee in a "Make America Great Again" hat telling Amash, "I can’t tell you how disappointed I am," but the majority of questioners expressed support for Amash.
This video gets to the heart of the Amash town hall: pic.twitter.com/PThqciSI8E
— Sam Easter (@SamKWEaster) May 28, 2019
Since his original comments, Amash has faced pushback and criticism from fellow Republicans, including Trump, who called him a “lightweight,” and Sen. Rand Paul
Randal (Rand) Howard PaulThe Hill's Morning Report - US urges calm over coronavirus; Italy on lockdown This week: Surveillance, travel ban fights play out amid growing coronavirus concerns Rand Paul looms as wild card in surveillance fight MORE (R-Ky.), a fellow libertarian-leaning member of Congress, who said the Mueller investigation was “the antithesis of libertarianism.”
