It seems that Rep. John Katko (R-Camillus) has changed his mind when it comes to Donald Trump.

Back in 2016, Katko refused to endorse now-President Trump. Now, he has a “whole landscape, not just his personality.” This “landscape” refers to the president’s economic policies like the tax cuts he passed in 2017 and the falling unemployment rate in Central New York. Additionally, Katko has voiced his support for Trump’s new trade deal with Canada and Mexico, along with the president’s support of a trade war with China.

The reality is, many of Trump’s claims regarding employment are false. Trump claimed he helped bring 600,000 manufacturing jobs to the United States. This number is off by 25%.

Trump also claimed that his daughter Ivanka has created 14 million jobs when in reality all private companies have only pledged to create 12 million total. Two very different numbers.

As a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, it seems odd for Katko to endorse a president who has seemingly threatened our national security. According to The Washington Post, the seven impeachment managers argued that the Senate “must  ‘eliminate the threat’ that the president poses to national security”.

So is this Katko mirroring his fellow elected officials in the Senate? The, Keep-Supporting-Trump-No-Matter-What-So-We-Get-Elected, tactic? It seems so. Strategically, Central New York is very red, it only makes sense for Katko to come out and endorse Trump.

However, Katko reminds his constituents that this endorsement is not “blind” support for the president or an endorsement for his mannerisms. He wants people to know that he understands the concerns of his behavior. So why endorse?

I honestly applaud Katko for expressing some concern for the president’s behavior. It is rare for a member of the GOP to criticize the president. It feels like too many have lost themselves in the effort of their own reelection as well as the president’s.

So sure, in 2020 Katko has more than “Trump’s personality” this election year than in 2016, according to Katko. Our political climate has changed dramatically since 2016. The impeachment trial adding fuel to the flame of division and polarization.

Katko proves to be a local example of those who support the president for the sake of what seems to be reelection and for the party. By doing so, he is putting the country and constitution second.

Rachel Pierce is a junior political science and broadcast journalism major. She can be reached at [email protected]. She can be followed on Twitter at @rpiercesyr.

Published on January 26, 2020 at 10:26 pm