Justin Amash faces intense blowback after Trump impeachment claims — then Trump hits back

Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) is facing intense backlash after he broke from Republican ranks Saturday and claimed that President Donald Trump has "engaged in impeachable conduct." Amash also condemned Attorney General William Barr for what he described as "deliberately misrepresent[ing] Mueller's report."

Amash announced his conclusions in a lengthy Twitter thread after a comprehensive review of the Mueller Report, "pertinent statements and testimony," and having thoroughly discussed the matter with his staff.

Amash's announcement quickly became the most talked about story Saturday evening, triggering backlash from the Republican Party and praise from Democrats, especially those who seek the president's impeachment.

What did Trump say?

Trump responded to Amash's claims on Twitter Sunday by characterizing the conservative lawmaker as a "total lightweight" and "loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands."

Never a fan of @justinamash, a total lightweight who opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there through controversy. If he actually read the biased Mueller Report, “composed" by 18 Angry Dems who hated Trump,....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019

....he would see that it was nevertheless strong on NO COLLUSION and, ultimately, NO OBSTRUCTION...Anyway, how do you Obstruct when there is no crime and, in fact, the crimes were committed by the other side? Justin is a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019

What did Republicans say?

Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, accused Amash of "parroting the Democrats' talking points on Russia."

Meanwhile, Amash's critics, many of whom encouraged a primary challenge, said:

Here are my principal conclusions. Primary Rep. Justin Amash. Will not be tough.
— Carmine Sabia (@CarmineSabia) May 18, 2019

Others, meanwhile, made more substantive criticisms, highlighting the fact that Amash did not provide evidence to back some of his claims.

Editor's note: This story originally listed Jordan Schachtel as a "staunch supporter" of President Trump. In fact, the characterization was not correct as Schachtel has disagreed with the president on a number of issues.