What a traitor.
President Donald Trump and his endorsed Republican Senate candidate, Mike Rogers, are facing unexpected criticism from a familiar political opponent just as Michigan voters head to the polls in one of the nation’s most closely watched elections.
Former Republican Congressman Justin Amash has delivered a sharp rebuke of Rogers, arguing that the GOP nominee could pose a greater threat to constitutional freedoms than his Democratic opponent, Abdul El-Sayed.
The surprising comments come at a critical moment in Michigan’s 2026 U.S. Senate race, where Republicans are fighting to capture a Democratic-held seat and strengthen their position in Washington.
And while Amash made clear he did not vote for either candidate, his assessment of Rogers has added another layer of controversy to an already unpredictable election.
Former Republican Turns Against Trump’s Endorsed Candidate
Amash, who represented Michigan in Congress for a decade, revealed Monday that he had declined to support either Rogers or El-Sayed.
However, the former lawmaker went considerably further, suggesting that Rogers would be the more concerning choice when it comes to protecting individual liberties and limiting federal government authority.
Writing on social media platform X, Amash explained that his decision reflected his refusal to vote for someone simply because that candidate appeared preferable to the alternative.
He argued that Americans should support candidates they genuinely believe deserve public office.
Despite opposing many of El-Sayed’s progressive positions, Amash concluded that the Democratic nominee would likely be less harmful to constitutional protections than Rogers.
The criticism is particularly significant because Rogers has the endorsement of President Trump, who has made the Michigan Senate contest an important Republican priority.
For voters who place a high value on constitutional rights, national security, and government accountability, Amash’s comments have introduced another point of disagreement in the race.
Amash Raises Concerns About Government Power
At the center of Amash’s criticism is Rogers’ congressional record, particularly his positions involving federal surveillance and national security.
Rogers previously served as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, giving him extensive experience dealing with intelligence agencies and national security legislation.
Amash, however, argues that Rogers’ approach to government authority raises serious constitutional concerns.
The former congressman pointed to several issues he believes deserve closer examination, including government surveillance, personal privacy, freedom of speech, military powers, and federal oversight.
According to Amash, individual members of Congress can exert considerable influence over these matters, particularly when legislation is decided by narrow margins.
His argument was not that El-Sayed represents his preferred political philosophy. Instead, he maintained that Rogers’ record on certain constitutional questions makes him the more troubling candidate.
These claims reflect Amash’s interpretation of the candidates’ records rather than an established conclusion about how either man would govern in the Senate.
Bernie Sanders Enters the Political Debate
In an unexpected comparison, Amash pointed to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders as an example of how he believes El-Sayed might approach the Senate.
Sanders, a longtime advocate of progressive economic policies and expanded federal programs, has endorsed El-Sayed’s campaign.
Amash acknowledged that he strongly disagrees with many of Sanders’ proposals.
Nevertheless, he argued that the American political system creates substantial barriers to implementing sweeping legislative changes.
In his view, controversial proposals involving federal spending or economic policy often require broader congressional support before becoming law.
He contrasted those proposals with national security and civil liberties matters, where an individual senator’s position could have a more immediate impact.
Amash suggested that Sanders has taken positions on certain constitutional issues that he considers preferable to those supported by Rogers.
He then extended that comparison to El-Sayed, arguing that the Democratic nominee would likely follow a similar approach.
Importantly, Amash did not endorse El-Sayed or suggest that the Democrat would consistently support policies he favors.
His comments focused narrowly on which candidate he considers more dangerous to the constitutional principles he has defended throughout his political career.
Amash Has a Long History of Opposing Trump
The latest controversy is not the first time Amash has found himself at odds with President Trump or the Republican establishment.
First elected to Congress in 2010, Amash built a reputation as a libertarian-minded Republican who frequently criticized excessive government spending, federal surveillance, and expansions of executive power.
His relationship with the Republican Party deteriorated during Trump’s first presidency.
In 2019, Amash left the GOP and became an independent. Later that year, he voted to impeach Trump, a decision that separated him from most congressional Republicans.
He subsequently joined the Libertarian Party in 2020 before leaving Congress in January 2021.
His history with Rogers also includes a direct political rivalry.
Amash challenged Rogers in Michigan’s 2024 Republican U.S. Senate primary but failed to win the nomination.
Rogers eventually advanced to the general election, where he lost to Democrat Elissa Slotkin.
Now, two years later, Rogers is making another attempt to secure a Senate seat, this time with Trump’s endorsement and renewed national attention.
Amash’s latest statements demonstrate that the political disagreements between the two former Republican lawmakers remain unresolved.
Democrat Delivers Unexpected Boost to Mike Rogers
While Amash’s remarks created an unwelcome distraction for Rogers, the Republican candidate also received a surprising endorsement from across the political aisle.
Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens, who lost her party’s 2026 Senate primary to El-Sayed, announced Sunday that she would support Rogers in the general election.
The decision stunned political observers and exposed divisions within Michigan’s Democratic Party.
Stevens had previously indicated that she would support her party’s nominee. However, disagreements surrounding El-Sayed’s campaign ultimately led her to reverse course.
Her endorsement provided Rogers with an unusual political opportunity shortly before Election Day.
President Trump praised Stevens for crossing party lines, recognizing the significance of a Democratic congresswoman publicly backing the Republican nominee.
The developments have created an unusual situation in Michigan.
One former Republican congressman is sharply criticizing Trump’s chosen candidate, while a sitting Democratic congresswoman has decided to support him.
With control of the Senate at stake, both announcements have attracted attention well beyond Michigan.
Michigan Senate Election Could Shape Washington’s Future
The stakes in Michigan extend beyond the candidates themselves.
The contest will determine who replaces retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters, making the seat an important target for Republicans seeking to expand their influence in the U.S. Senate.
Rogers brings years of congressional experience and Trump’s backing to the race.
El-Sayed, meanwhile, has attracted support from prominent progressive Democrats, including Sanders.
The candidates offer different approaches to federal spending, economic policy, national security, and the role of government.
For many Michigan voters, the outcome could influence major national debates involving border security, taxes, government regulations, and the direction of federal policy.
The election also carries political consequences for Trump, whose endorsement has made Rogers one of the Republican candidates associated with his broader political agenda.
A Republican victory would represent an important pickup for the party, while a Democratic win would preserve a seat that Republicans have worked to capture.
What Happens Next in Michigan?
As voters cast their ballots Tuesday, November 3, the final hours of Michigan’s Senate campaign have produced developments that few political observers would have anticipated.
Amash has rejected both major-party candidates while openly criticizing Rogers’ record on constitutional matters.
Stevens has broken with her party’s nominee to support Rogers, creating additional controversy among Michigan Democrats.
And President Trump remains firmly behind Rogers as Republicans attempt to win the closely contested Senate seat.
Whether Amash’s criticism will influence voters remains unclear. His decision to withhold support from Rogers reflects his individual political judgment rather than a broader Republican rejection of the candidate.
Still, the controversy underscores the divisions that can emerge when questions about party loyalty, constitutional principles, and political leadership collide.
For Michigan voters, the final decision now rests at the ballot box.
And for Trump and the Republican Party, the outcome will help determine whether Michigan delivers a significant Senate victory or another difficult election result.
