Pennsylvania lawmakers invite Eagles to Capitol after Trump snub

Pennsylvania lawmakers on Monday invited the Philadelphia Eagles to visit the Capitol after President Trump uninvited the team to the White House on Tuesday.

Rep. Brendan Boyle (D) and Sen. Bob Casey Jr. (D) both tweeted at the Super Bowl champions within minutes of the White House abruptly announcing that the team would not visit the White House.

“The @Eagles are still welcome to visit the US Capitol,” Boyle tweeted. “I will have @Wawa coffee waiting.”

The @Eagles are still welcome to visit the US Capitol. I will have @Wawa coffee waiting. https://t.co/Ts41v7GBGn

— US Rep Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) June 4, 2018

Casey tweeted that he was also skipping the White House event, calling Trump’s decision to rescind the team’s invitation a “political stunt.”

I’m proud of what the @Eagles accomplished this year. I’m skipping this political stunt at the White House and just invited the Eagles to Congress. @Eagles How about a tour of the Capitol? https://t.co/niWR7zkSYx

— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) June 4, 2018

Casey is up for reelection this year. Trump, who won Pennsylvania in 2016, has backed his GOP challenger, Rep. Lou Barletta.

{mosads}The White House issued a statement saying that the team was “unable to come” to the White House, citing players’ participation in protests during the national anthem before games, which Trump harshly criticized.

“They disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country,” the statement read. “The Eagles wanted to send a smaller delegation, but the 1,000 fans planning to attend the event deserve better.”

The White House plans to still host an event for the Eagles fans who planned to attend, and said that they will “loudly and proudly” play the national anthem at the event.