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Who is Paul Mitchell? Trump loyalists label him 'spineless quitter' after shocking decision to leave the GOP

Mitchell changed his party affiliation to 'independent' and stated that his 'disgust and disappointment' with Trump's constant efforts to overturn the results of the election led him to make this decision

Rep. Paul Mitchell of Michigan announced that he was leaving the GOP on Monday, December 14. In a letter to the Republican National Committee Chairwoman, he cited President Donald Trump's actions following the November 3 election as the main reason. He stated that his "disgust and disappointment" with Trump's constant efforts to overturn the results of the election has led him to change his party affiliation to "independent". 

Addressing the letter to Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif), he explained his decision to leave the party despite years of support.  

He wrote that all politicians including the president must accept the outcome of the elections whether they win or lose. "It is unacceptable for political candidates to treat our election system as though we are a third-world nation and incite distrust of something so basic as the sanctity of our vote," Mitchell said. "Further, it is unacceptable for the president to attack the Supreme Court of the United States because its judges, both liberal and conservative, did not rule with his side or that 'the Court failed him.' It was our Founding Fathers' objective to insulate the Supreme Court from such blatant political motivations."

Trump had been trying to overturn the results of the November 3 elections till now alleging massive ballot fraud, Mitchell pointed out toward the need to provide evidence. Mitchell agreed with GOP members that there were issues surrounding the election and himself pointed out to the "disconcerting aspects", saying that there might have been "administrative errors and even some fraudulent voting likely occurred" due to the sheer size of the voter turnout - 155 million people. "However, the president and his legal team have failed to provide substantive evidence of fraud or administrative failure on a scale large enough to impact the outcome of the election."

"Ronna, you know Michigan politics well. President Trump did not lose Michigan because of Wayne County, but rather he lost because of dwindling support in areas including Kent and Oakland County, both previous Republican strongholds," he added. 

His exit has caused quite a stir on social media. For some, it was very shocking news. " Steve Smith and now PAUL MITCHELL!?!? Do you know how conservative this man has been? This is earth shattering. More to come . . ." For others, it was more frustrating than anything. "Paul Mitchell is a spineless quitter."

And Trump loyalists are out to get him. "Republican Paul Mitchell says he’s leaving the Republican Party because he is disgusted by the way President Trump and the party challenged the election results.", #MAGA will still vote you out office if you think being a Democrat will save you"

Mitchell hasn't been one to be quiet when it comes to calling out the president. Earlier in November, Mitchell shared Trump's tweet: "We have some big things happening in our various litigations on the Election Hoax. Everybody knows it was Rigged. They know Biden didn’t get more votes from the Black community than Obama, & certainly didn’t get 80,000,000 votes. Look what happened in Detroit, Philadelphia, plus!" and blatantly called out the president for his arguments that lack "factual basis". He tweeted, "Oh my God. .@realDonaldTrump Please for the sake of our Nation please drop these arguments without evidence or factual basis. #stopthestupid".