Here’s how President Trump plans to participate in the congressional baseball game
WASHINGTON — The annual congressional baseball game is set to proceed as scheduled Thursday night following a shooting at the Republican team’s practice that injured five people, including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and two Capitol Hill police officers. In the wake of this incident, the game has taken on new significance, and will feature ceremonies to honor the wounded officers. According to the White House, President Trump will not attend the event because there was not enough time to follow Secret Service protocols, but he does have plans to be involved in the game.
A senior White House source told Yahoo News that Trump recorded a video message at the White House on Thursday to be played at the game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.. The video is a last- minute addition to the program but the source said it is not confirmed that stadium staff will be able to integrate it into the game.
The annual game, which pits Democratic members of Congress against Republicans, is a fundraiser. According to the senior White House source, President Trump plans to make a donation to the game’s charities. The source would not say the amount Trump plans to contribute, but said he would make the donation in the coming days.
“We’re not advertising the contribution or looking to receive credit for doing so,” the source explained.
The charities benefiting from this year’s game include the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation and the Washington Literacy Center. After the shooting, the game’s organizers also said funds from tickets, sponsorships and donations would go to the Capitol Police Memorial Fund.
