Justin Amash Fires Back At GOP Critics Of Trump Impeachment

May 20, 2019 at 4:35 PM

A GOP congressman who said Saturday that President Donald Trump “engaged in impeachable conduct” reiterated his case Monday on Twitter.

Over the weekend, Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) said on Twitter that after reading the complete Mueller Report, he believes Trump “engaged in specific actions and a pattern of behavior that meet the threshold for impeachment.”

Naturally, Amash’s comments angered the president, who called the congressman “a total lightweight.” In addition, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) called the congressman “courageous,” but said he does not think impeachment “is the right way to go.”

Amash’s comments even inspired a fellow Michigan Republican to mount a primary challenge against him.

On Monday, Amash answered his critics with another series of tweets, firing back against the arguments proffered by those saying the president should not be impeached.

People who say there were no underlying crimes and therefore the president could not have intended to illegally obstruct the investigation—and therefore cannot be impeached—are resting their argument on several falsehoods:

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 20, 2019

1. They say there were no underlying crimes.

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 20, 2019

In fact, there were many crimes revealed by the investigation, some of which were charged, and some of which were not but are nonetheless described in Mueller’s report.

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 20, 2019

2. They say obstruction of justice requires an underlying crime.

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 20, 2019

In fact, obstruction of justice does not require the prosecution of an underlying crime, and there is a logical reason for that. Prosecutors might not charge a crime precisely *because* obstruction of justice denied them timely access to evidence that could lead to a prosecution.

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 20, 2019

If an underlying crime were required, then prosecutors could charge obstruction of justice only if it were unsuccessful in completely obstructing the investigation. This would make no sense.

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 20, 2019

3. They imply the president should be permitted to use any means to end what he claims to be a frivolous investigation, no matter how unreasonable his claim.

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 20, 2019

In fact, the president could not have known whether every single person Mueller investigated did or did not commit any crimes.

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 20, 2019

4. They imply “high Crimes and Misdemeanors” requires charges of a statutory crime or misdemeanor.

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 20, 2019

In fact, “high Crimes and Misdemeanors” is not defined in the Constitution and does not require corresponding statutory charges. The context implies conduct that violates the public trust—and that view is echoed by the Framers of the Constitution and early American scholars.

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 20, 2019

Also on HuffPost

Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.)

During a July 27 <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/fox-news-sunday-chris-wallace/2014/07/27/rep-scalise-talks-gop-agenda-border-crisis-benjamin-netanyahu-and-hanan-ashrawi-conflict#p//v/3699667878001" target="_blank">interview</a> on Fox News Sunday, Scalise, the House Majority Whip, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/27/gop-impeachment_n_5624554.html" target="_blank">refused</a> to say that Republicans would not pursue impeachment against President Barack Obama. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) — During a July 27 interview on Fox News Sunday, Scalise, the House Majority Whip, refused to say that Republicans would not pursue impeachment against President Barack Obama. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Rep. Randy Weber (R-Texas)

Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa)

King has said that Republicans <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/30/steve-king-impeachment_n_5634195.html" target="_blank">should pursue</a> impeachment if President Barack Obama takes executive action on immigration. "From my standpoint, if the president [enacts more executive actions], we need to bring impeachment hearings immediately before the House of Representatives," King told <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/07/26/Rep-Steve-King-Predicts-House-Will-Start-Impeachment-Proceedings-if-Obama-Grants-More-Amnesty-with-Exec-Actions" target="_blank">Breitbart News</a>. "That's my position and that's my prediction." — King has said that Republicans should pursue impeachment if President Barack Obama takes executive action on immigration. "From my standpoint, if the president [enacts more executive actions], we need to bring impeachment hearings immediately before the House of Representatives," King told Breitbart News. "That's my position and that's my prediction."

Rep. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.)

Yoho suggested that Republicans send President Barack Obama a series of measures to secure the United States' borders and then impeach him if he refused to enforce those measures, <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/07/25/GOP-Special-Immigration-Conference" target="_blank">Breitbart News</a> reported. Yoho has been<a href="http://www.tedyoho.com/2011/06/17/84/" target="_blank"> pushing </a>for President Obama's impeachment since before he was elected to Congress. — Yoho suggested that Republicans send President Barack Obama a series of measures to secure the United States' borders and then impeach him if he refused to enforce those measures, Breitbart News reported. Yoho has been pushing for President Obama's impeachment since before he was elected to Congress.

Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Pa.)

According to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbWaLHOmgtM" target="_blank">audio</a> captured by BuzzFeed, Barletta said that the House "probably" has the votes to impeach Obama. "We have a president that's taken this to a new level. And it's put us in a real position where he's just absolutely ignoring the constitution and ignoring and ignoring the laws and ignoring the checks and balances. You know the problem is what do you do for those who say impeach him for breaking the laws or bypassing the laws. You know could that pass in the House? It probably could," Barletta said. "Are the majority of the American people in favor of impeaching the President? I'm not sure about that." (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) — According to audio captured by BuzzFeed, Barletta said that the House "probably" has the votes to impeach Obama. "We have a president that's taken this to a new level. And it's put us in a real position where he's just absolutely ignoring the constitution and ignoring and ignoring the laws and ignoring the checks and balances. You know the problem is what do you do for those who say impeach him for breaking the laws or bypassing the laws. You know could that pass in the House? It probably could," Barletta said. "Are the majority of the American people in favor of impeaching the President? I'm not sure about that." (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.)

As a Senate candidate, Broun suggested that he would <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/03/paul-broun-impeach-obama_n_4716946.html" target="_blank">support</a> impeaching President Barack Obama. "If House leadership brought an impeachment vote before the floor, then there would certainly be good reason for doing so, with substantive information and evidence to impeach the President. With the President repeatedly bypassing Congress through executive order, lying to the American people on Obamacare, and failing to address what really happened in Benghazi, I can understand why this would be an important issue to many Georgians right now," he <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/03/paul-broun-impeach-obama_n_4716946.html" target="_blank">said</a> at a candidate forum. "What I don't understand, is how a candidate can claim to be a proven conservative, and yet if such a resolution was brought up for a vote, they would oppose it," he added. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) — As a Senate candidate, Broun suggested that he would support impeaching President Barack Obama. "If House leadership brought an impeachment vote before the floor, then there would certainly be good reason for doing so, with substantive information and evidence to impeach the President. With the President repeatedly bypassing Congress through executive order, lying to the American people on Obamacare, and failing to address what really happened in Benghazi, I can understand why this would be an important issue to many Georgians right now," he said at a candidate forum. "What I don't understand, is how a candidate can claim to be a proven conservative, and yet if such a resolution was brought up for a vote, they would oppose it," he added. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Rep. Walter Jones (D-N.C.)

On a local radio program, Jones said that he favored impeachment over suing President Barack Obama. “I am one that believes sincerely that the Constitution says that when a president, be it a Republican or a Democrat exceeds his authority and you can’t stop the president from exceeding his authority, then we do have what’s called impeachment,” Jones <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/mr-jones-shalalalalalalala#dhh91k" target="_blank">said</a>. “My problem with what my party is trying to do to sue is it will cost the taxpayers between two and three million dollars...use the Constitution, that's what it's there for.” — On a local radio program, Jones said that he favored impeachment over suing President Barack Obama. “I am one that believes sincerely that the Constitution says that when a president, be it a Republican or a Democrat exceeds his authority and you can’t stop the president from exceeding his authority, then we do have what’s called impeachment,” Jones said. “My problem with what my party is trying to do to sue is it will cost the taxpayers between two and three million dollars...use the Constitution, that's what it's there for.”

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah)

Chaffetz has said Obama's impeachment was <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/14/jason-chaffetz-obama-impeachment_n_3276107.html" target="_blank">"within the realm of possibilities." </a> Chaffetz later <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/20/jason-chaffetz-obama-impeachment_n_3308721.html" target="_blank">doubled down</a> on the possibility, claiming the Obama administration was "embroiled in a scandal that they created." "It's a cover-up," Chaffetz said of the administration's response to the attack in Benghazi. "I'm not saying impeachment is the end game, but it's a possibility, especially if they keep doing little to help us learn more." — Chaffetz has said Obama's impeachment was "within the realm of possibilities." Chaffetz later doubled down on the possibility, claiming the Obama administration was "embroiled in a scandal that they created." "It's a cover-up," Chaffetz said of the administration's response to the attack in Benghazi. "I'm not saying impeachment is the end game, but it's a possibility, especially if they keep doing little to help us learn more."

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.)

Paul has said talk of impeachment is premature. "We need to figure out the truth of what happened [with the IRS scandal] before we go anywhere else," Paul <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/20/rand-paul-impeachment_n_3308852.html" target="_blank">said</a>. — Paul has said talk of impeachment is premature. "We need to figure out the truth of what happened [with the IRS scandal] before we go anywhere else," Paul said.

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.)

Bachmann appeared happy to further whispers of impeachment, telling a crowd at a tea party rally in May that she's asked every weekend: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/16/michele-bachmann-impeach-obama_n_3285464.html" target="_blank">"Why aren't you impeaching the president?"</a> — Bachmann appeared happy to further whispers of impeachment, telling a crowd at a tea party rally in May that she's asked every weekend: "Why aren't you impeaching the president?"

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus

The Republican National Committee chairman has said he thinks it's too soon to float the possibility of impeachment, according to the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/20/rand-paul-impeachment_n_3308852.html" target="_blank">Associated Press</a>. "There's a few chapters before we get to the last one," Priebus <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/20/rand-paul-impeachment_n_3308852.html" target="_blank">told reporters in May</a>. "So it's up to us to connect the dots first." — The Republican National Committee chairman has said he thinks it's too soon to float the possibility of impeachment, according to the Associated Press. "There's a few chapters before we get to the last one," Priebus told reporters in May. "So it's up to us to connect the dots first."

Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.)

In May, Inhofe accused Obama for "the most egregious cover-up in American history," <a href="http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130510/DEFREG02/305100016/Sen-Inhofe-GOP-Could-Impeach-Obama-Over-Benghazi-Cover-Up-" target="_blank">according to Defense News</a>. Inhofe then hinted at impeachment, claiming that “people may be starting to use the ‘I word.’” — In May, Inhofe accused Obama for "the most egregious cover-up in American history," according to Defense News. Inhofe then hinted at impeachment, claiming that “people may be starting to use the ‘I word.’”

Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.)

When asked in May, Cole <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/14/tom-cole-benghazi_n_3275218.html" target="_blank">did not support</a> fellow Republicans' suggestion that Benghazi resembled the Watergate scandal. He went on to say that he did not think Obama should be impeached over the controversy. — When asked in May, Cole did not support fellow Republicans' suggestion that Benghazi resembled the Watergate scandal. He went on to say that he did not think Obama should be impeached over the controversy.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R)

Appearing on a radio program, Huckabee <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/06/mike-huckabee-impeachment_n_5655636.html?utm_hp_ref=mike-huckabee" target="_blank">said</a> that President Barack Obama had done things that were "worthy" of impeachment, but suggested that impeaching the president would be pointless because Democrats in the Senate would block it. Huckabee later <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/11/mike-huckabee-impeachment_n_5669605.html?utm_hp_ref=mike-huckabee" target="_blank">retreated</a> from the comments, saying: "I think impeachment ought to be something that would be used in the rarest and most unusual of circumstances, and because a person has perhaps exceeded his authority, and in this case I believe the president has in a number of areas, doesn't mean that's advisable." — Appearing on a radio program, Huckabee said that President Barack Obama had done things that were "worthy" of impeachment, but suggested that impeaching the president would be pointless because Democrats in the Senate would block it. Huckabee later retreated from the comments, saying: "I think impeachment ought to be something that would be used in the rarest and most unusual of circumstances, and because a person has perhaps exceeded his authority, and in this case I believe the president has in a number of areas, doesn't mean that's advisable."

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.)

McCain <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/12/mccain-obama-benghazi_n_3262489.html" target="_blank">refused to back impeachment over Benghazi</a> in May, claiming he was willing to give the president "the benefit of the doubt" on some remaining questions. — McCain refused to back impeachment over Benghazi in May, claiming he was willing to give the president "the benefit of the doubt" on some remaining questions.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine)

Collins said in May that she wasn't willing to talk about impeachment <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/12/mccain-obama-benghazi_n_3262489.html" target="_blank">"at this point,"</a> but she acknowledged the allegations were "serious." — Collins said in May that she wasn't willing to talk about impeachment "at this point," but she acknowledged the allegations were "serious."

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.

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