Former GOP Rep. Justin Amash (I-MI) announced on Tuesday night that he was launching an exploratory committee to run for president as a member of the Libertarian Party.
“Americans are ready for practical approaches based in humility and trust of the people,” he said in a statement. “We’re ready for a presidency that will restore respect for our Constitution and bring people together. I’m excited and honored to be taking these first steps toward serving Americans of every background as president.”
Amash’s decision came a little less than a year after the congressman left the Republican Party in wake of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report on the Trump campaign and Russian election interference.
Prior to officially switching party affiliations, Amash had emerged as the only Republican to support impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump.
Trump reacted to news of Amash’s potential bid on Wednesday by trolling the congressman and those who fear that a third party run would jeopardize efforts to remove Trump from office.
“No, I think Amash would make a wonderful candidate, especially since he is way behind in his district and has no chance of maintaining his Congressional seat,” the President tweeted, adding that he likes Amash “even more than Jill Stein,” the Green Party candidate who ran in 2016.
