WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump’s cancellation of the Philadelphia Eagles’ visit to the White House (all times local):
8:55 a.m.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney is criticizing President Donald Trump for canceling the White House celebration of the Eagles’ Super Bowl win and for panning players who refuse to stand for the National Anthem.
Kenney, a Democrat, said of Trump on Tuesday morning on CNN: “When he had the opportunity to serve his country for real, his father got him out of it, and I think it’s really disingenuous for him to talk about patriotism in any way shape or form.”
The mayor was referring to deferments Trump obtained during the Vietnam War for his college education and for bone spurs in his heels.
Kenney said Eagles fans would take the president’s withdrawing the invitation in stride.
“Eagles fans understand that our players are individuals who can stand up for themselves and stand up for what they believe in and that’s what this country’s about,” Kenney said.
___
7:25 a.m.
President Donald Trump says he’ll be honoring America at the White House on Tuesday after he canceled a scheduled event with Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Trump tweeted: “We will proudly be playing the National Anthem and other wonderful music celebrating our Country today at 3 P.M., The White House, with the United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus. Honoring America! NFL, no escaping to Locker Rooms!”
Trump announced Monday that he had called off the Eagles’ visit, citing the dispute over whether NFL players protesting racial injustice must stand during the national anthem.
The NFL recently announced a new policy requiring players to stand for the anthem if they’re on the field before a game or otherwise remain in the locker room.
___
12:44 a.m.
A White House celebration of the NFL champion Philadelphia Eagles has been called off by President Donald Trump, who says fans deserve better than the smaller delegation the team was sending to the event planned for Tuesday.
Trump is citing the dispute over whether NFL players protesting racial injustice must stand during the playing of the national anthem. However, none of the Eagles took a knee during the anthem in 2017.
In a statement issued Monday less than 24 hours before the event, Trump says some members of the team disagree with his insistence that they “proudly stand” for the national anthem in honor of military veterans and the nation as a whole.
Trump says a different ceremony will honor veterans and the nation instead.