WASHINGTON (AP) – A top aide to President Donald Trump is urging the primary defeat of a conservative House member from Michigan.
Saturday’s tweet by White House social media director Dan Scavino Jr. comes two days after Trump threatened conservative lawmakers who thwarted a House vote on health care legislation.
Scavino targeted congressman Justin Amash of Michigan, a member of the conservative Freedom Caucus criticized by Trump. Scavino says in the tweet that Trump is bringing auto plants and jobs back to Michigan and calls Amash a “big liability.”
Scavino ends the tweet by urging Trump supporters to defeat Amash in his next primary.
Government ethics lawyers say Scavino’s tweet violates federal law that limits political activity by government employees. The White House had no immediate comment.