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Local, state, and national officials who were asked refused to appear with Trump at his unwanted photo-op in Pittsburgh.

KDKA in Pittsburgh reported:
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Paul Ryan, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi were all invited to join the President on his visit but declined, according to two congressional sources.

A spate of local and state officials also said they would not appear with Trump when he visits a hospital and pays respects to the 11 victims of Saturday’s massacre.Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto and countless other local and state officials have made it clear that Trump is not wanted in Pittsburgh. Trump’s appearance is taking security resources away from the funerals of the victims, which are happening this week, and logistically, presidential visits cause major headaches for local officials when they are not coordinated and planned in advanced.

Trump’s visit to Pittsburgh was announced by the White House yesterday afternoon after the president ignored the pleas of city officials that he postpone his visit for a week until after the funerals of the victims.

Trump wants to hold a photo-op, so he’s coming to Pittsburgh

It is still unclear who Trump will be meeting with. It has been reported that the president will be meeting with law enforcement. It’s also been reported that he is going to see victims in the hospital. Either way, Trump has decided to insert himself into a situation where he is not wanted or needed in a bid to score some cheap political points before a midterm election.

Pittsburgh will not be used as a prop for the Trump family.

The president is free to come to the city, but that doesn’t mean that he is welcome, or that he selfishly gets to disrupt the funerals of the victims so that he can get what he hopes is some good coverage on cable news.

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Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

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Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association

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