The US women's national ice hockey team is declining President Donald Trump's invitation to his State of the Union address.
A team spokesperson said this, according to NBC News.
This comes a day after Trump jokingly told the men's national team that he would be impeached if he did not invite the women as well.
- We are sincerely grateful for the invitation that has been extended to our gold-winning US women's national ice hockey team, and we greatly appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary performance, the spokesperson said.
- Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments after the Games (the Olympic Games, ed.), the athletes are unable to participate.
According to NBC News, the White House has not returned inquiries about the refusal.
- They felt honored to be invited and are grateful for the recognition, adds the players' spokesperson.
The US women beat Canada in the Olympic final on Thursday, thus securing the gold medal.
On Sunday, the US men's ice hockey team also won gold - also after a victory against Canada.
The men were invited to the State of the Union address in a call from Trump Sunday night after their victory. According to NBC News, it is still unclear whether they will accept the invitation.
- I have to say, we're going to have to bring the women's national team, you know that, Trump said when he invited the men's national team.
Without an invitation to the women's national team, "I think I would probably be impeached," he said.
The US president is invited to Congress every year to deliver the State of the Union address.
According to ABC News, Trump's speech will take place on Tuesday at 9 p.m. US time - 3 a.m. Wednesday night Danish time.
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