PATERSON, N.J. – Today, U.S. Representatives Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-09) issued a statement following the news that President Trump called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday to congratulate him for expanding his power by marginal victory in a contested referendum.

"When our President is celebrating a foreign leader’s controversial power grab, we have to ask ourselves: does this serve democracy or his bottom line? Without even noting reports of voting irregularities, President Trump made a call to congratulate Turkey’s President Erdogan for strengthening his autocratic rule – a disturbing sign for anyone interested in upholding democratic norms," said Rep. Pascrell.

"Trump is treating Angela Merkel like a second-class citizen, yet making calls to congratulate dictators. Our President's admiration for one power-hungry world leader after another is frightening. It reminds me of the Cornelius Vanderbilt quote, ‘The law? Who cares about the law. Hain’t I got the power?’ I think the Turkish people deserve better, and the American people certainly deserve better in their own right."