Politics

Trump To Attend Congressional Baseball Game On Anniversary Of Shooting, Says Coach

Katie Jerkovich Entertainment Reporter
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President Donald Trump will attend the annual congressional baseball game Thursday on the anniversary of the shooting that severely wounded House Majority Whip Steve Scalise.

That’s according to the Republican congressional team’s coach Rep. Roger Williams of Texas, who said he spoke with Trump in the Oval Office last week and asked him to come, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.

ALEXANDRIA, VA - JUNE 14: Police secure the site of a morning shooting at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park June 14, 2017 in Alexandria, Virginia. U.S. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) was among five wounded, including the suspected gunman, in the attack as Republican Congressional members practiced for a charity baseball game. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Police secure the site of a morning shooting at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park June 14, 2017 in Alexandria, Virginia. U.S. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) was among five wounded, including the suspected gunman, in the attack as Republican Congressional members practiced for a charity baseball game. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

“I asked him to come, I guess it was last week, I was over at the Oval Office. He [Trump]said, ‘I’ll be there,'” Williams explained.

Last year, a gunman opened fire while GOP congressmen were practicing for the annual game between the Republicans and Democrats. Five people were wounded, with Scalise being taken to the hospital with life threatening injuries.

He had to undergo multiple surgeries before he resumed his duties in the fall.

The coach said Scalise will be at the game Thursday, playing second baseman for the charity event at Nationals Park.

During the State of the Union address, the president praised the lawmaker for overcoming tremendous obstacles.

“With us tonight is one of the toughest people ever to serve in this House,” Trump shared. “A guy who took a bullet, almost died, and was back to work 3 and a half months later, the Legend from Louisiana, Congressman Steve Scalise.”

The White House has yet to comment on the whether Trump will attend.