Republican U.S. Rep. John Katko criticized President Donald Trump for his conversation the Ukraine president centering around investigating his political rival, but said Monday it did not rise to being an offense he should be impeached over.
“He should have been more disciplined engaged in that type of conversation with a foreign leader knowing that he’s the subject of scrutiny,” Katko said. “That being said, I don’t think the subject of the conversation rose to an impeachable offense.”
Katko, a Republican first elected in 2014, represents the central New York House district that has been considered a swing seat in recent election cycles over the last decade.
The lawmaker said Congress should be focusing on issue like Lake Ontario and opioid addiction instead.
“Now we’re reduced to have an impeachment proceeding without any criminal conduct as the articles of impeachment,” he said.
Katko added presidents shouldn’t be impeached for political reasons.
“I think it’s a very high bar for a reason,” he said of the removal of a president.