Amash exits House Freedom Caucus in wake of Trump impeachment stance

The Hill ^ | 06/10/19 | Juliegrace Brufke

[yesthatjallen]

Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) has opted to quit the House Freedom Caucus in the wake of his comments in support of moving forward with impeachment proceedings.

The Freedom Caucus voted to condemn the Michigan Republican's remarks last month, but the group opted not to force him out despite a divide among members.

Amash was the first — and only — Republican House member to publicly say he thought President Trump had committed impeachable offenses after the release of special counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian interference in the 2016 election.

He has since doubled down multiple times on his statement that the president committed impeachable offenses and has clashed with Trump as well as with other members of his own party.

Pressure to kick the congressman out of the caucus began to mount after Amash failed to alert the group he was making his position, which conflicts with the majority of the group’s pro-Trump views, public.

Members of the Freedom Caucus have been some of the president’s strongest defenders in Congress as momentum to impeach Trump has gained momentum within the Democratic caucus.

The president has maintained that Mueller's investigation found "no collusion" and "no obstruction." Mueller did not establish the that Trump campaign conspired with the Russian government. He neither implicated nor exonerated the president on allegations of obstruction.

[kiryandil]

That said, removing Trump would have such a deleterious effect on the GOP base that democrats would surely win next year, there is only a year and half left on this term, it’s all about the election at this point.

Exactly. Some people don't understand what's important...

[mombonn]

S.O.B is my rep. I have voted against him the last 2 cycles, will be working for his primary challenger ASAP.