Trump tries to make nice with Democrats with invite to White House Congressional picnic 

President Donald Trump invited members of Congress, including the Democrats investigating him, to a picnic at the White House on Friday evening.

Originally scheduled for Thursday, the festivities were pushed to Friday after rain was predicted in the forecast for Washington D.C.

Lawmakers were emailed about the new date on Wednesday, a White House official said.  

President Donald Trump invited members of Congress, including the Democrats investigating him, to a picnic at the White House on Friday evening

President Trump and Melania Trump arrive at the 2017 Congressional picnic

President Trump and Melania Trump arrive at the 2017 Congressional picnic

But the change in schedule could cut back on the number of lawmakers from both parties who attend the festivities. 

Most members of Congress leave town on Friday afternoon – after the House and Senate finish votes for the day – to spend weekends in their home states.

House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler, whose panel is investigating Trump ties to Russia and interviewed former Trump spokesperson Hope Hicks this week, will be back in his home state of New York on Friday evening, his office told DailyMail.com. 

Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office did not respond to a query on whether or not she would attend. Neither did the offices of House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff and Oversight Chairman Elijah Cummings, whose panels are conducting high-profile probes of the Trump administration. 

The annual picnic is time for members of Congress and administration officials to bond over carnival games, festive food, and drinks on the South Lawn of the White House. 

In addition to the mingling, hand shaking, and posing for pictures to post on social media, President Trump will make brief remarks to the crowd. 

The event is planned by the first lady. 

The theme for Friday’s affair is ‘Summer Solstice,’ to mark the start of summer season.

There will be a ferris wheel and face painting along with various lawn games. Snacks will be available via the popcorn cart, baked pretzel stand, and cotton candy station.

First lady Melania Trump will be on hand to greet the members of Congress along side the president.  

Vice President Mike Pence and second lady Karen Pence will also be there. 

The menu will be traditional picnic fare: charred lemon chicken, grilled plank salmon, charcoal grilled rib eye steak, and Baja shrimp tacos. 

Sides will include: house made kettle chips, fresh salad greens harvested by the National Park Service from the White House garden, and locally grown vegetables and fresh fruits from California, Georgia, and Washington State. 

Dessert includes White House Honey and a variety of homemade cookies, brownies, and pies topped with vanilla ice cream.

The 2017 theme was Picnic in the Park and there was a carousel to ride

The 2017 theme was Picnic in the Park and there was a carousel to ride

The first couple greets guests at the 2017 event

The first couple greets guests at the 2017 event

‘My husband and I are looking forward to tomorrow’s Congressional Picnic,’ Melania Trump said in a statement Thursday. ‘It’s an opportunity for elected officials to put aside differences and come together as a community.’

Musical performances will include ‘The President’s Own’ United States Marine Band and The United States Navy Band Cruisers.

Members of Congress who attend typically bring their families to Washington DC to join them for the evening. 

Several post photos from the event to their social media accounts. 

The picnic has been in the news more often under Trump’s tenure in the White House. 

Last year’s event was canceled by the president as his administration dealt with the fallout of its policy of separating migrant families crossing at the border. 

‘It didn’t feel exactly right to me. We will be officially postponing the Congressional picnic for tomorrow. We’ll make it for another time when things are going extremely well,’ the president said in June of last year. 

The picnic has been subject of controversy, such as in the 2017 when Congressman Chris Collins (circled) was on his cell phone making a fateful call that led to his federal indictment

The picnic has been subject of controversy, such as in the 2017 when Congressman Chris Collins (circled) was on his cell phone making a fateful call that led to his federal indictment

The 2019 picnic menu will include Baja shrimp tacos and greens harvested from the White House garden originally planted by Michelle Obam

The 2019 picnic menu will include Baja shrimp tacos and greens harvested from the White House garden originally planted by Michelle Obam

Additionally, the picnic was in the news after Republican Congressman Chris Collins was caught on camera at the 2017 event making that fateful call federal investigators say led to his indictment on insider trading and other charges.

Collins was captured by CBS News, pacing and talking on his cell phone as Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, walked by him.

The timeframe on the footage matches up with the time outlined in the federal indictment against Collins, when he is alleged to have called his son to warn him to sell off stock from the Australian biotech company Innate Immunotherapeutics after getting word for the company’s CEO that a drug trial failed.

The theme that year was Picnic in the Park and the picnic was modeled after a summer evening in Central Park in New York. There was an old fashioned carousel on the South Lawn and twinkling lights strung throughout the area. 

Trump made it a family affair that year. His daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, both of whom work in the White House, joined the first couple and brought their children to enjoy the evening. 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk