Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto Image by Getty Images

By Josh Nathan-Kazis October 30, 2018

Republican and Democratic congressional leaders declined invitations to join President Trump on his controversial visit to Pittsburgh on Tuesday in the wake of the synagogue massacre, CNN reported.

Citing congressional sources, CNN said that Republicans Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan, and Democrats Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, all turned down offers from the White House to accompany Trump on his visit.

Local officials also have said they won’t appear with Trump, according to CNN, including Pittsburgh’s mayor and its county executive.

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“[Pittsburgh] Mayor [Bill] Peduto’s sole focus today is on the funerals and supporting the families,” Tim McNulty, the mayor’s communications director, told CNN.

Some Jewish groups and local leaders have discouraged Trump from visiting the city. The president’s press secretary, Sarah Sanders, announced Monday that Trump would visit the grieving city.

Contact Josh Nathan-Kazis at [email protected] or on Twitter, @joshnathankazis

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