Texas Democrat says she declined to join Trump on El Paso visit over lack of ‘dialogue’

Texas Rep. Veronica Escobar (D) says she has declined an invitation from President Trump to join him on his visit to El Paso on Wednesday, saying he has so far refused to engage in a “dialogue” with her.

Escobar, whose El Paso-area district was rocked by Saturday’s mass shooting that left at least 22 people dead and more than two dozen others injured, explained her decision in a series of tweets on Tuesday.

“I refuse to join without a dialogue about the pain his racist and hateful words & actions have caused our community and country,” she wrote, adding that she specifically requested a phone call with the president and was told he was “too busy.”{mosads}

“I have publicly said he has a responsibility to acknowledge the power of his words, apologize for them, and take them back because they are still hanging over us,” she tweeted. “I asked for a call so I could say this to him over the phone and ask for a dialogue that could lead to healing.”

The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.  

Escobar said that on Wednesday she will “be spending time with fellow El Pasoans who are dealing with the pain and horror left in the wake of this act of domestic terrorism fueled by hate and racism.”

The White House invited me to join @realDonaldTrump during his visit to El Paso. My response was clear. I requested a phone call with him today in order to share what I have now heard from many constituents, including some who are victims of Saturday’s attack.

— Rep. Veronica Escobar (@RepEscobar) August 6, 2019

My message would’ve been that he needs to understand that his words are powerful and have consequences. Using racist language to describe Mexicans, immigrants and other minorities dehumanize us. Those words inflame others.

— Rep. Veronica Escobar (@RepEscobar) August 6, 2019

I have publicly said he has a responsibility to acknowledge the power of his words, apologize for them, and take them back because they are still hanging over us. I asked for a call so I could say this to him over the phone and ask for a dialogue that could lead to healing.

— Rep. Veronica Escobar (@RepEscobar) August 6, 2019

I was told that @realDonaldTrump is “too busy” to have that conversation.

I declined the invitation because I refuse to be an accessory to his visit. I refuse to join without a dialogue about the pain his racist and hateful words & actions have caused our community and country.

— Rep. Veronica Escobar (@RepEscobar) August 6, 2019  

Tomorrow, I will again be spending time with fellow El Pasoans who are dealing with the pain and horror left in the wake of this act of domestic terrorism fueled by hate and racism.

Join #ElPasoStrong: https://t.co/CVLa38NJBf

— Rep. Veronica Escobar (@RepEscobar) August 6, 2019 

Escobar has spoken out against Trump before, and her tweets Wednesday came a day after she said on MSNBC that the president is “not welcome” in El Paso.

Trump is expected to visit El Paso in the wake of a mass shooting that authorities said was fueled by a desire to kill Hispanics. Trump is also slated to visit Dayton, Ohio, the site of another mass shooting on Sunday.