In a letter initiated by House Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), 15 House Democrats and two Republicans have urged Trump to rescind his invitation to Erdoğan.
The letter cited the disastrous consequences of Turkey’s invasion of Syria. Lawmakers stated that Turkey caused a humanitarian crisis, jeopardized U.S. national security, and further divided NATO alliance.
Lawmakers also cited Turkey’s purchase of the Russian-made S-400 missile system and other moves that have drawn the NATO ally closer to Moscow as well as Erdoğan’s undermining of domestic democratic institutions.
POLITICO:
The scheduled visit, including a joint press conference with Trump and Erdoğan, is scheduled for Wednesday, the first day of the open-door impeachment hearings.
Because of Turkey’s recent, deplorable actions, lawmakers have said that “now is a particularly inappropriate time for President Erdoğan to visit the United States, and we urge you to rescind this invitation.”
The White House has not replied to the letter.
