Trump calls reporters to the White House for surprise event as Obama delivers eulogy for John Lewis

President Donald Trump on Thursday called reporters into the White House for an event with the family of slain Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen.

The press availability, which was not previously on the president's schedule, coincided with former President Barack Obama delivering an eulogy at the funeral service of John Lewis.

"We didn’t want to have this swept under the rug, which could happen," Trump told Guillén's family during the Oval Office meeting.

Some political observers viewed Trump's actions as as an attempt to “one-up” Obama or distract from his speech.