Trump endorses former aide against republican pro-impeachment

Former President TrumpDonald Trump Biden Holds Virtual Bilateral Meeting With Mexican President Over 300 Indicted In Connection With Capitol Riot Trump Jr .: There Are ‘Plenty’ Of Established GOP Operators That Should Be MORE Challenged has thrown his support behind a former White House official running to fire a House Republican who voted to impeach, the first GOP primary challenge Trump has backed since leaving office.

Max Miller, a former Trump aide, announced on Friday that he is taking a primary challenge against Rep. Anthony GonzalezAnthony Gonzalez The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented By The AIDS Institute – Teeth’s Chances Drop To Lead OMB Republicans To Keep Cheney In Power Here GOP Lawmakers Have Been Censored By Republicans For Accusing Trump MORE (R-Ohio), a two-term congressman who was one of ten House Republicans who voted to impeach.

Hailing from northeast Ohio, Miller worked on Trump’s 2016 and 2020 campaigns and served in the office of the White House presidential staff and as director of progress. He specifically cited Gonzalez’s voice to impeach Trump during the January 6 uprising at the Capitol in rolling out his campaign in Ohio’s 16th Congressional District.

“I’m running for Congress to stand up for the people of Northeast Ohio. They voted overwhelmingly in favor of the America First agenda. But their congressman betrayed them when he voted to impeach President Trump. I’m not going back. And I will never betray them, ”Miller tweeted.

In a press release announcing his offer, Miller also set himself up as a “steel-clad” leader who would stand up to “foreign opponents, domestic profiteers, or anti-American ideologues.”

Shortly after Miller’s campaign launched, Trump offered his approval – aid that could pay dividends in a district the former president won by 16 points in 2016 and 15 points in 2020.

“Max Miller is a great person who has done a great job in the White House and will be a great Congressman. He is a Marine Veteran, son of Ohio, and a true PATRIOT. Current Representative Anthony Gonzalez should not represent the people of the 16th district because he does not represent their interests or their hearts. Max Miller has my full and total approval! Trump said in a statement.

Miller’s campaign and Trump’s approval underscore the electoral danger lawmakers may face from earlier votes or any perception of unfaithfulness to the former president, who, according to polls, remains popular within the GOP.

Gonzalez is the first sitting Republican Trump has encountered since leaving office, although he has threatened to back primary challengers to other Republicans who either voted to impeach or criticize him during his tenure.

GOP representatives. Liz CheneyElizabeth (Liz) Lynn Cheney Trump Jr .: There are ‘plenty’ of GOP incumbents to be challenged Tomi Lahren says CPAC visitors clearly want Trump to walk on CPAC in 2024 Trump to promote GOP primary wars MORE (Wyo.) And Adam KinzingerAdam Daniel Kinzinger Trump Jr .: There Are ‘Enough’ GOP Incumbents To Be Challenged Trump Endorsed Former Assistant Against Pro-Impeachment Republican Taylor Swift Celebrates House Passage of Equality Act MORE (Ill.) Both have already amassed a ton of Republican challengers and are both top targets for Trump.

“Where necessary and appropriate, I will support primary rivals who embrace Making America Great Again and our America First policies. We want brilliant, strong, thoughtful and compassionate leadership, ”Trump said in a statement earlier this month.

Gonzalez was one of 10 House Republicans opposed to Trump by voting for his impeachment last month. The former president was charged with “incitement to insurrection” over his comments before the January 6 riot that aimed to stop Congressional certification of the electoral college’s results.

The Ohio Republican was first elected to Congress in 2018 and won the open seat with more than 13 points that year. He was re-elected last year with more than 26 points.

Despite his electoral success, Gonzalez suggested that his vote for impeachment could end his career in Congress.

“You have to love your country and you have to live your oath more than your job does, and I don’t know what the political fate will be,” Gonzalez said earlier this month. “If it is ultimately my fate that I cannot come back, I will do so in peace.”

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