The gold-medal-winning U.S. women’s hockey team declined Trump’s invitation to attend the State of the Union address

WASHINGTON (AP) — The gold-medal-winning U.S. women’s hockey team politely declined an invitation from President Donald Trump to attend the State of the Union address on Tuesday.

“We are deeply grateful for the invitation to the gold medal-winning USA Hockey team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their exceptional accomplishment,” the U.S. women’s team said in a statement released Monday. “Due to timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments after the Games, athletes were unable to participate. They are honored to be included and are grateful for this honor.”

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Trump also invited the gold medal-winning US men’s team.

Scheduling will be a challenge as the NHL regular season resumes with five games on Wednesday and the PWHL resumes on Thursday.

Logistics played a role in the decision, as several players were not scheduled to arrive in North America until Monday evening. The men’s team flew to Miami earlier Monday. The two women boarded a commercial flight and were scheduled to land in Atlanta.

A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press that the players did not learn of the invitation until late Sunday night, making it difficult to change their travel plans. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the team’s travel plans.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the situation of the two teams.

When inviting the men’s team on Sunday evening, Trump said: “I’ve got to tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you know that.” Trump joked that if he didn’t invite the women’s team as well, “I think I’d probably get impeached.”

The Olympic tournament featured two thrilling medal finals, both of which ended in overtime, with the U.S. women beating Canada 2-1 in the gold medal game on Thursday. The USA men beat Canada on Sunday.

“It’s been a whirlwind, it’s been amazing. It’s a dream of ours, and it was a great way to unite the country,” Matthew Tkachuk of the US men’s team said after arriving in Miami.

“We’ve felt the support across the Atlantic, and now that we’re back on home soil, we can feel it as soon as the wheels hit the ground. So excited to be back in the greatest country in the world and so excited to celebrate.”

Tkachuk said it was an honor to hear from Trump after the win. “So we are certainly honored to represent him and millions and millions across the country.”

Vice President J.D. Vance attended two US Women’s preliminary round wins with his family during the first week of the Games.

Associated Press writers Steven Wino and Charles Odom in Atlanta and Freda Frisaro in Miami contributed to this report.