CNN’s Jake Tapper calls out Republicans who turned down interviews after shootings

“State of the Union” host Jake Tapper on Sunday called out a group of Republican lawmakers he said declined to appear on the CNN show to discuss two deadly mass shootings in Texas and Ohio. 

“We should note that we invited the Republican governor, lieutenant governor and both Republican U.S. senators representing Texas to join us this morning. They all declined,” Tapper said before speaking with his guests on Sunday.

“The Republican governor of Ohio also declined. We also asked the White House to provide someone to discuss these shootings. That request too was declined,” he added.

.@jaketapper calls out Republican leaders who declined to appear on #CNNSOTU following two mass shootings in Texas and Ohio. pic.twitter.com/TeZZHHK0Mn

— State of the Union (@CNNSotu) August 4, 2019

Tapper said in a tweet that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) also declined an invitation and that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) did not respond.

Among those who declined the request from @CNNSotu to come on to discuss the mass shootings:@WhiteHouse
Texas Gov @GregAbbott_TX
Texas LG @DanPatrick
Sen @JohnCornyn
Sen @tedcruz, @GovMikeDeWine, @GOPLeader McCarthy@senatemajldr did not respond to our request.

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 4, 2019

{mosads}Acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney did make appearances on other Sunday morning shows on different networks.

A spokesperson for Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) told The Hill that the senator was traveling on a plane to El Paso this morning and was unable to do interviews.

A spokesperson for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) did not immediately return The Hill’s request for comment. 

Tapper spoke with various Democrats, including 2020 presidential candidates Beto O’Rourke and Julián Castro, both from Texas, and Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). 

The Democrats agree more needs to be done to pass gun legislation reform. 

Democrats, to varying degrees, also said President Trump’s rhetoric is stoking and empowering white supremacists. 

This report was updated at 11:44 a.m.