Trump honors Stanley Cup champions, talks impeachment, Turkey

President Trump on Tuesday held a ceremony at the White House congratulating the 2019 Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues while railing against the House impeachment inquiry and providing an update on talks with Turkey. 

“By the way, we’ve just hit the greatest economy we’ve ever had. Let’s impeach the president. Isn’t that a good idea?” he said with the NHL champions behind him in the Rose Garden. “I wouldn’t worry about it, fellas. I wouldn’t worry about it. Don’t worry too much.”

{mosads}He also announced that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would be traveling with Vice President Pence to the Middle East on Wednesday and that they would ask for a cease-fire in the Turkey-Syria conflict. 

“Mike is getting ready to make a big trip. He’ll be leaving tomorrow. We have a delegation leaving today, and Mike is heading it up with Secretary Pompeo. They’ll be leaving tomorrow.”

The Turkish military launched an offensive last week after the White House announced that U.S. troops would no longer be “in the immediate area.” Trump has since pledged to sanction the country.

The president also discussed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, saying, “Mexico-Canada’s happening if they can ever get it approved. I doubt they will because it’s [Speaker] Nancy Pelosi [D-Calif.]. They’re too busy working on impeachment.”

House Democrats have launched an impeachment investigation into Trump over his dealings with Ukraine. He has denied wrongdoing.

He went on to congratulate the hockey team on its journey to the championship after sitting in last place in the league standings at one point in the season.

“It’s an amazing story of comebacks,” Trump said. 

At another point in the ceremony, he asked Rep. Billy Long (R-Mo.), who used to be an auctioneer, to auction off the Stanley Cup trophy. 

Trump also joked about one player who was missing a few teeth. 

“Look at that mouth,” Trump said, calling the player over to him. “You think he’s taken a few hits?”

“Do you think I could take him in a fight? I don’t know,” he added.