Mobile mayor says tree chopping mighta been too eager to please Trump

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — Authorities in Mobile, Alabama, say a tree cut down in a city park and used as a prop at President-elect Donald Trump’s recent rally will be used to build cat scratching posts and bird houses.

The mayor’s chief of staff apologized for his role in having the large cedar tree cut down, saying he was “overzealous” in trying to meet expectations of Trump’s team. It was then adorned with Christmas ornaments for Trump’s Dec. 17 “thank you” rally.

City officials said in a Thursday statement the tree branches will be given to Girl Scouts so they can create cat scratching posts for animal shelters.

The city said the tree trunk will go to Boy Scouts, so they can make bluebird houses and bird feeders for nursing homes and assisted living facilities.