GOP senator: Trump should have invited Dems to state dinner

Sen. John KennedyJohn Neely KennedyMORE (R-La.) on Tuesday said he thinks President TrumpDonald John TrumpMichelle Wolf in July Fourth salute: 'God bless abortions and God bless America' Graham: Trump's Supreme Court picks 'all winners' Man arrested after allegedly threatening to kill Trump supporters, GOP lawmaker MORE should have invited Democrats and the media to the state dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron.

“I think it would have sent a better message, just my opinion, if we included a cross-section of Congress. You can’t include everybody, but that’s Democrats, Independents and Republicans,” Kennedy said on CNN’s “New Day.”

He added that the event would benefit from more media exposure so U.S. leaders can be seen thanking Macron for his country’s assistance in Syria and on other issues.

Kennedy said he sees Macron's visit as a way to ensure the U.S. and France are on the same page on Syria's civil war, the Iran nuclear deal, policy toward China and other key issues.

“It’s about learning from President Macron and thanking him,” Kennedy said. “I want to thank him for standing with us in Syria. I want to thank him, the French people through the president, for selling us Louisiana in 1803.”

Trump did not invite Democrats or members of the media to Tuesday night's dinner with Macron in what is a departure from past state dinners.

Kennedy is one of four members of Congress to be invited, according to Politico, joining House Speaker Paul RyanPaul Davis RyanPaul Ryan ‘will await the findings’ of Jim Jordan investigation Overnight Health Care: Trump officials want more time to reunite families | Washington braces for Supreme Court pick | Nebraska could be next state to vote on Medicaid expansion Dems call on Ryan to provide free feminine hygiene products in House bathrooms MORE (R-Wis.), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed RoyceEdward (Ed) Randall RoyceOvernight Defense: Uproar over report Army discharging some immigrants | Latest on Pompeo in Pyongyang | Trump hits NATO ahead of summit Foreign Affairs Dems request North Korea hearing Overnight Defense: VA pick breezes through confirmation hearing | House votes to move on defense bill negotiations | Senate bill would set 'stringent' oversight on North Korea talks MORE (R-Calif.) and Sen. Bill CassidyWilliam (Bill) Morgan CassidyRNC spokeswoman: ObamaCare repeal possible if GOP keeps House Senate panel to hold hearing on paid family leave The Hill's Morning Report — Sponsored by Better Medicare Alliance — Washington grapples with civility, protests in charged political times MORE (R-La.).

During the last state dinner for a French president, made by Macron's predecessor François Hollande, then-President Obama featured lawmakers from both parties and an appearance by singer Mary J. Blige.

Trump has frequently sparred with Democrats since taking office, blaming the minority party for obstructing his nominees and for legislative failures.

Trump was also the first president in almost a century to not have a state dinner during his first year in office.