Protesters who gathered once again outside U.S. Ryan Costello’s West Chester office were surprised Friday when the congressman appeared in person to talk with them.
The protest group, called the Costello Constituent Action Group, has been meeting every Friday since President Trump’s election . After greeting the protesters, including a man in a gorilla suit holding a “Not a Paid Gorilla” sign, Costello invited them inside for an impromptu meeting.
After everyone signed in and voluntarily turned in their cellphones in Courtroom One, Costello started with a number of points. He said he was there to listen, he respects the protesters, he knows they are not paid and he understands they don’t like the president. These are folks voicing their views, Costello said.
“I respect their opinions,” the congressman said. “We are hearing from constituents, that’s a part of our democracy.”
The meeting comes as Costello faces criticism for dismissing another planned town hall event in Phoenixville on Saturday by the Concerned Constituent Action Group.
“I already have commitments,” Costello said when asked if he would attend. “They never reached out before scheduling the event,” he told Digital First Media. Costello said he meets constituents all the time. He pointed out that he has held two electronic phone call town hall meetings, which he said had reached 100,000 residents, as well as an 80-person town hall at a local business Friday morning and a school group in Berks County this week.
“I do want to create forums,” Costello said. “Never before last month has there been a questioning of my forums.”
At the West Chester event, Costello spent 90 minutes answering questions. Questions focused on President Trump, health care, Russia and immigration.
Susan Audrain of Berwyn said, “I don’t believe the president has the mental health capabilities to lead this country and there is no opposition to him from the Republicans.”
Costello replied that Congress has only been in session for about six or seven weeks. He said they’ve voted on rescinding a number of late-session Obama rules but as a congressman he has not had the opportunity to vote on many of the more contentious topics such as Cabinet appointments that the Senate does.
Costello also said he knows people are at times unhappy that he doesn’t immediately take a position on things.
“At times it’s best for me not to speak out,” Costello said. “I have to analyze and do a lot of thinking beforehand. You can’t attribute everything in the Republican message to me. Look at my record and how I vote,” he added. “I’ve never spoken disparagingly about President Obama and I’m trying to give President Trump the same, though he makes it difficult at times.”
Costello did point to a number of topics in which he has crossed party lines, including the environment and charter schools. Costello did say he could have done a better job adding more content to his statements on the recent Trump immigration order, which has been tied up in court.
Costello said on Russia, he feels both House and Senate investigations are looking into it and feels the process should be allowed to play out.
When asked, most of the protesters said they appreciated meeting with Costello and plan to be out protesting again next week.
“It was really helpful,”said Audrain. “The conversation was respectful by everyone. It’s the first time I ever did more than vote. I’ll probably be out again next week.”
“These are folks voicing their views. I respect their opinions,” Costello said. “We are hearing from constituents; that’s a part of our democracy. We’re letting them air concerns. We’ve been doing this since day one,” he said.
He added, “I wish the gorilla had asked a question.”
Eric Devlin contributed to this article.
