White House picnic email led to congressman's indictment

New York Rep. Chris Collins was one of the first House members to back Donald Trump for president in 2016 and quickly became a ubiquitous surrogate for the future president on cable television.

Yesterday, federal prosecutors announced indictments of the Buffalo-area congressman, his son and a friend on charges of conspiracy to commit securities fraud. Collins pleaded not guilty.

Some snapshots of the relationship and the case: EARLY ADOPTER Collins, 68, backed Trump on Feb 24, 2016 well before it was clear Trump had a shot at winning the Republican nomination in a crowded field of seasoned politicians.

But that's why, Collins said at the time, he was backing Trump.

He said the country needs "a chief executive, not a chief politician."Collins became one of Trump's most ardent and public backers, promoting him as a businessman who would boost the economic fortunes of areas that have suffered.

He spent time in the Trump family box at the Republican National Convention and seconded Trump's nomination there. In the process, his status rose on Capitol Hill and elsewhere.

"Truly my profile, both locally, nationally and within my conference, is significantly more visible," Collins told Politico earlier this year. "I've enjoyed it."
When the House Ethics Committee began investigating his trading of the stock a year ago, his spokeswoman called the probe a "partisan witch hunt."
A carousel spun on the White House's South Lawn on June 22, 2017, as Trump paid tribute to the "wonderful tradition" of the annual congressional picnic and said he and his wife have "developed friendships with some really great people - mostly."
According to the indictment, Collins responded to the email saying: "Wow. Makes no sense. How are these results even possible???"
House Speaker Paul Ryan said Collins would be removed from the influential House Energy and Commerce Committee "until the matter is settled."