Retiring GOP lawmaker ‘disappointed’ by Trump’s handling of Eagles

Rep. Ryan Costello (R-Pa.) on Tuesday criticized President Trump following the announcement that the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles would not visit the White House this week.

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Costello, a self-declared “Philly sports fan,” said the president handled the meeting with the team poorly and added that he was “disappointed” in Trump’s decision on Twitter.

Trump announced Monday that he was canceling the Eagles’ planned visit to the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl win.

“The Philadelphia Eagles are unable to come to the White House with their full team to be celebrated tomorrow. They disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country,” Trump said Monday in a statement.

The decision has been cheered by those critical of NFL players’ protests during the national anthem and condemned by those who have pointed out that no Eagles players kneeled in protest during the anthem last season.

Costello’s remarks arrive a week after he said one of the reasons he is leaving Congress is because all he is ever asked about is Trump. 

“No matter what I say or do, I feel all I do is answer questions about Donald Trump rather than health insurance or tax policy,” Costello told CNN.

Costello announced in March that he would not run for reelection and blamed the partisan political environment, including Trump’s actions.