(CNN) President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have declined an invitation to attend the annual St. Patrick's Day lunch on Capitol Hill on Thursday, marking the first time since the event's founding more than three decades ago that neither the president nor vice president will attend.

The White House pinned Trump's decision not to attend the lunch -- a bipartisan tradition celebrating US-Ireland relations -- on his strained relationship with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi . The lunch is hosted each year by the sitting speaker, and Pelosi invited the President last month.

"Since the Speaker has chosen to tear this Nation apart with her actions and her rhetoric, the President will not participate in moments where she so often chooses to drive discord and disunity, and will instead celebrate the rich history and strong ties between the United States and Ireland at the White House on March 12," said White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere in a statement. "The relationship between our two countries has never been stronger, and the President looks forward to welcoming the Prime Minister of Ireland for the annual Shamrock Bowl presentation."

Politico first reported the White House's decision.

The relationship between Trump and Pelosi sunk to new lows during the impeachment saga, and the tensions between them burst into public view during the President's State of the Union address in February. Cameras at the speech captured Trump appearing to ignore Pelosi's outstretched hand , as well as Pelosi shredding a copy of Trump's remarks as soon as he had finished speaking.

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