Max Rose Throws Support Behind Trump Impeachment Inquiry

STATEN ISLAND, NY — U.S. Rep. Max Rose joined the rest of New York City's congressional delegation Wednesday in supporting the active impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump.

The Staten Island Democrat's change of heart came as he faced political pressure to solidify his shifting stance on the investigation in a district that voted for the Republican president in 2016.

"While the president of the United States may be willing to violate the constitution to get re-elected, I will not," Rose said at a Wednesday evening town-hall event on Staten Island, adding he plans "to fully support this impeachment inquiry and follow the facts."

The freshman lawmaker was the only House member from the five boroughs who remained opposed to the impeachment inquiry that Speaker Nancy Pelosi formally opened last week.

The probe officially began after revelations Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son and that the White House allegedly sought to cover up the request.

Rose declared his firm opposition to impeachment in mid-September, but the quickly unfolding scandal involving a whistleblower in the federal intelligence community moved him to say last week "all options must be on the table."

Rose's approach to the impeachment question led one of his Republican opponents, state Assembly Member Nicole Malliotakis, to accuse him of pushing for "witch hunts" despite his hesitance about the inquiry. He also reportedly drew fire from left-flank primary challenger Richard-Olivier Marius, who campaigned and voted for Rose.

Malliotakis kept up the pressure Wednesday night, saying Rose "caved" to "socialist" lawmakers such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

"Max Rose showed his true colors tonight," Malliotakis said on Twitter. "He is a Park Slope liberal just like Bill de Blasio who moved from Park Slope to Staten Island just to run for Congress."