Basically no politicians wanted to meet or travel with Trump to Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto didn't want President Trump to visit just three days after 11 people were murdered at the city's Tree of Life synogogue. He showed up anyway — and gave Peduto less than a day to prepare.
Plans for Trump to visit Pittsburgh on Tuesday were revealed in a White House press briefing on Monday. That's also when Peduto first heard about the president's visit, a spokesman told CNN, meaning the mayor wouldn't have time to visit with Trump while he was in town. A slew of national, state, and local officials also reportedly turned down invitations to travel or meet with Trump in Pennsylvania.
The first funerals began on Tuesday for those murdered in the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history. Peduto said there wouldn't be "enough public safety officials" to protect those funerals and the president on one day, reports The Washington Post, so he suggested Trump visit once all the burials were complete.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The White House also asked Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) to join Trump, but everyone declined, the Post reports. Local and state officials, including Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, are not expected to meet with the president. The Pittsburgh area's Democratic congressmen and Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) reportedly weren't invited to do so.
Welcome or not, Trump arrived in Pittsburgh on Tuesday with first lady Melania Trump, along with daughter Ivanka Trump and his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, who are both Jewish.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
How to earn extra cash for Christmas
The Explainer The holiday season can be expensive but there are ways to bolster your festive finances
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published
-
Christmas gifts for children: the top toys of the year
The Week Recommends The most sought-after kids' presents revealed
By Tess Foley-Cox Published
-
Should Line of Duty return?
Talking Point Adrian Dunbar's hint about a series reboot has some critics worried
By Tess Foley-Cox Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published