Shaheen Statement Ahead of President Erdogan's Visit to the White House: “It’s inexcusable that this visit is going forward”

(Washington, DC)—U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of both the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services committees, issued the following statement ahead of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to the White House following an invitation from President Trump: 

“It’s inexcusable that this visit is going forward, despite the egregious behavior of President Erdogan and his government,” said Shaheen. “This is not the time or place to be extending hospitality and exchanging niceties with a dictator. Turkey’s incursion into Northeastern Syria was a result of President Trump’s acquiescence to President Erdogan, and it has upended what was an oasis of stability, damaged U.S. credibility and standing on the world stage, and strengthened the hands of Russia, Iran and Assad’s regime. By not rescinding his invitation, President Trump is once again coddling an authoritarian leader and sending a terrible message. Since this meeting is moving forward, I urge congressional leadership to seek a full accounting of discussions.”