@McFaul I wanted to respond to your tweet, esp since I have been taking incoming for my own saying I was saddened by Suzuki’s action. First, I do not criticize the Nats for accepting the invitation to the White House; refusing it would have created its own divisive firestorm
Celebrating the remarkable team achievement at the White House is fine. Players, coaches, manager speaking and praising the team and its fans, talking about the incredible path to victory, all fine. But using the visit to support a president who used the event as a prop himself?
Trump used the occasion to talk about impeachment— joking or not, utterly inappropriate. The MAGA hat is about returning to an era when minorities faced discrimination and worse— when Japanese-Americans were put into camps. Trump was exultant to have Suzuki as a prop—what a hug!
If Juan Soto were not a baseball player, Trump would not have allowed him into the country. If he had been a child trying to come in, he would have been put in a camp not unlike the Japanese-American internment camps and separated from his family.
It would not have been appropriate if some Nationals had chanted “Lock Him UP” during this visit, or had used their platform at the White House to criticize him. Given his standing— a president about to be impeached for traitorous acts, who has promoted nativism and racism,
It is worse to give him more legitimacy. This visit should have been about celebrating a great team and a great victory. Having said that, and making clear I will not cheer as much for Suzuki (or Zimmerman) next year, I love having both on the team. I hope the Nats re-sign Zim
Suzuki is the perfect catcher for our star pitchers, and a great clutch hitter. I doubt this was some deeply premeditated move to help Trump. But I will cheer more loudly for @whatwouldDOOdo Anthony Rendon, Victor Robles and other Nats. Other fans can make their own choices.
