The U.S. women’s hockey team said it is declining President Donald Trump’s invitation to attend his State of the Union address, a day after the president jokingly told the U.S. men’s hockey team that he would be impeached if he didn’t also invite the women’s team.
“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal–winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,” a USA Hockey spokesperson said. “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.”
“They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment,” the spokesperson added.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The U.S. team beat Canada for the gold medal in Thursday’s Olympic women’s hockey final. Their male counterparts won gold on Sunday, also against Canada.
Trump invited the men’s team to the State of the Union in a call Sunday night after their overtime victory. It is unclear if the men’s team will attend the speech.
“I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,” Trump said when extending the invitation to the men’s team.
If he did not invite the women’s team, “I do believe I probably would be impeached,” he joked.
