News · Press Release

Will Katko Fall In Line After Spending Weekend With Trump Team?

Ahead of Thursday Vote to Move Impeachment Inquiry Forward, Will Katko Stand With Trump or His Constituents?

Last week, Rep. John Katko joined a select group of House Republicans at President Trump’s Camp David for a closed door meetings with Trump’s top aides. Trump’s Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney led the retreat, just days after he held a shocking press conference during which he admitted Trump withheld aid to Ukraine in exchange for political favors. At the Camp David retreat, Mulvaney even facilitated a conference call with Donald Trump himself.

While Katko gave the press a read-out from Camp David, he appears to have left out some critical details about the retreat’s real focus. According to reporting and first-hand accounts from at least one other New York Republican present, impeachment was a major topic on the weekend’s agenda.

The vulnerable Congressman, who has tried his best to avoid tough questions, can’t be looking forward to today’s vote.

Here are the facts to remember:

  1. John Katko chose to attend a retreat at Camp David led by disgraced White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney.
  2. REMINDER: The day before the retreat, Mulvaney told press that Trump withheld military aid for Ukraine in exchange for Ukraine opening an investigation to benefit himself politically. Mulvaney said, “we do that all the time with foreign policy” before trying to backtrack his statement later in the day.
  3. Only 8 members of Congress attended this intimate gathering. Again, Katko CHOSE to go.
  4. Attendees at the retreat were not just “moderate Republicans,” but also conservative members, such as Republican Study Committee chair Rep. Mike Johnson.
  5. Fellow New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik turned down an invitation to attend—Katko could have likewise said no to the Trump invite.
  6. Fellow New York Republican Rep. Pete King reported that President Trump called into the Camp David retreat on Saturday evening. Kakto confirmed that he attended the retreat on Friday and Saturday.
  7. Newsday reported that participants covered impeachment“in the way of how to talk about it to the media.” The New York Times corroborated that participants discussed impeachment.

So the question is: will John Katko allow the impeachment inquiry to move forward so that the American people can find out all the facts?

“Rep. John Katko spent an entire weekend with the Trump Administration and House Republicans trying to get their messaging straight ahead of today’s critical vote, and he won’t be able to skate much longer,” said DCCC Spokesperson Christine Bennett. “Will he vote for an open and transparent process or vote to keep President Trump happy?”

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