Trump enlists Mike Pence in scheme to punish Justin Amash for impeachment talk: report

President Donald Trump is moving against Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI), who broke ranks with other Republicans to accuse him of impeachable conduct.

The president has discussed backing a primary challenger with Vice President Mike Pence and Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC), who co-founded the conservative House Freedom Caucus with Amash, and Trump also discussed that possibility with Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, reported Politico.

McDaniel, a former Michigan GOP leader who is prohibited under party rules from supporting primary candidates, declined to comment on her conversations with Trump but said it was “sad to see Congressman Amash parroting the Democrats’ talking points on Russia.”

The billionaire DeVos family, which has close ties to Trump and holds political power in Michigan, has cut off financial support to Amash, and there is growing speculation they might back primary challengers such as state Rep. Jim Lower, who has recently announced his candidacy.

The 30-year-old Lower has aligned himself with Trump, and a poll this week shows him already leading Amash by 16 points.

“If they were to get involved early I think it would help make sure that it was just me versus Amash in the August primary — and if that’s the case we’re definitely going to win,” Lower said.

Amash and his team haven't announced his 2020 plans, but the 39-year-old conservative announced his departure Monday from the Freedom Caucus, saying he didn't want to be a distraction, and some of Trump's inner circle doubt he may run for re-election.

Trump has called the congressman a "loser" and suggested his call for impeachment was a pretext for a run for some other office, and there has been speculation Amash could run for president as a Libertarian or possibly even mount a GOP primary challenge.