Bill Weld To Challenge 'Simply Too Unstable' President Trump

BEDFORD, NH — Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld announced the formation of a presidential exploratory committee, becoming the first Republican to declare intentions to run against President Trump in a 2020 primary. Weld made the announcement in New Hampshire Friday morning, saying Trump is "simply too unstable" to be allowed to continue in the Oval Office.

Weld, the governor in Massachusetts from 1991-97, ran on the Libertarian party ticket with former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson in 2016. He recently re-registered as a Republican.

"We have a president whose priorities are skewed towards promotion of himself rather than for the good of the country," Weld said at a "Politics and Eggs" breakfast in New Hampshire. "He may have great energy and considerable raw talent but he does not use that in ways that promote democracy, truth, justice and equal opportunity for all. To compound matters, our president is simply too unstable to carry out the duties of the highest executive office in the land."

More prominent Republicans could enter the field, testing a president who is wildly popular among his own base but largely criticized outside of it. Former Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan are among those expected to test the waters.

"I think there definitely is a path to victory but you want to test the market a bit. I look forward to talking to a variety of people," Weld told the Union Leader Thursday. "You want to make sure the motion doesn’t fail for lack of a second but it won’t."

Weld is the second politician with strong Massachusetts tie to announce intentions to run. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren entered what has become a crowded Democratic primary, which may eventually include U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton.

Former presidential candidate Gary Johnson (R), and his then-running mate Bill Weld (L), talk to the press before a rally on August 6, 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah. )Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)