Independent Michigan Rep. Justin Amash said that he is looking “closely” at a third-party presidential bid.
Amash left the Republican Party last year and became an independent over his opposition to President Donald Trump. Amash voted to impeach the president last year.
Amash, who was elected in the 2010 Tea Party wave, refused to rule out a White House run last year when he quit the GOP.
“An Amash candidacy would amount to one of the highest-profile third-party runs in modern history, given his position as a sitting member of Congress,” Fox News reported. “If he manages to gain even marginal support from Republicans and independents who might otherwise vote for Trump but dislike his tone and leadership style, it could harm the president's chances in swing states that saw a razor-thin margin in 2016.”
Amash angry over Trump declaring “total” authority:
Amash’s comments came after Trump declared that he had “total” authority over states in deciding when to lift coronavirus restrictions.
"It's total, it's total, and the governors know that," Trump falsely claimed. Governors "can't do anything without approval from the president of the United States."
“The president has no authority to ‘close down’ or ‘open up’ the states,” Amash replied. “He’s the one creating conflict and confusion. Put down the authoritarianism and read the Constitution.”
“State governments are not local branches of the federal government; they have different powers and functions,” he added. “Putting one government in charge of everything does not strengthen our system; it weakens our system and makes everyone more vulnerable to serious errors.”
Amash considering bid “this week”:
“Americans who believe in limited government deserve another option,” he said on Monday.
When a user pleaded for Amash to be that other option, the congressman replied, “I’m looking at it closely this week.”
Amash similarly hinted at a run in January.
“Is there any better time to have a president who might be not from either party?” he said at the time.
