Pelosi's trip to Afghanistan had been a closely held secret due to security concerns, of course. Very few people knew she was heading there. @SteveScalise mentioned Pelosi was headed to Brussels in his presser this morning, which angered Dems.
— John Bresnahan (@BresPolitico) January 17, 2019
President Donald Trump, citing The federal government shutdown, drastically postponed Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's prepared overseas vacation with other associates of Congress to go to U.S. troops in Afghanistan shortly before they were being scheduled to depart on a navy plane Thursday.
The president's abrupt, public action came on a daily basis immediately after Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump inside a letter to both reschedule his impending Point out in the Union tackle to a joint session of Congress or provide it in composing.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited opportunity security considerations connected to the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other members to visit NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan in excess of another quite a few days.
Pelosi and several other associates of Congress have been going to depart the Capitol to travel to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe when the White Residence announced the postponement.
A White Residence official advised NBC News that each one congressional delegations overseas that will have employed federally funded navy aircraft are already grounded by Trump right up until the shutdown ends.
Nonetheless, the White Property is making it possible for Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and other users of your Trump administration to vacation to the globe Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, future 7 days.
"We'll reschedule this 7-working day excursion when the Shutdown is around," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Definitely, if you desire to to generate your journey by flying professional, that would definitely be your prerogative."
NEWS: Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.) shouted "Go back to Puerto Rico" on House floor.
— Sarah Ferris (@sarahnferris) January 17, 2019
Statement: "Congressman Smith’s comment was directed at all the Democrats who were vacationing down in Puerto Rico last weekend during the government shutdown, not towards any individual member."
Trump's letter, which was created general public in a very tweet by White Residence push secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, did not point out Pelosi's call for him to postpone the Point out in the Union handle, which the president has not if not commented on. But his letter was viewed as being a retaliation for her recommendation.
A White keton diät Residence Formal mentioned Trump "took speedy action" on Thursday just after Finding out Pelosi was planning to take the journey.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, inside of a series of tweets, wrote the congressional delegation's vacation to Afghanistan incorporated a demanded cease in Brussels for pilot relaxation.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to meet with best NATO commanders, U.S. military services leaders and important allies – to affirm The usa' ironclad determination for the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He extra which the weekend trip to Afghanistan did not incorporate a prevent in Egypt, as Trump had recommended in his letter.
"The objective of the excursion was to precise appreciation and due to our men and women in uniform for their support and devotion, and to acquire critical national security and intelligence briefings from These within the front lines," Hammill mentioned.
"The President traveled to Iraq over the Trump Shutdown as did a Republican [congressional delegation] led by" Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., Hammill claimed.
House Vast majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said Trump's letter is "petty and ridiculous and demeans the presidency."
"It is little. It really is vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It really is unbecoming in the president of The us and it really is an sadly everyday occurrence."
White House officers, on the other hand, explained Trump's transfer was the result of his want to conclude the shutdown, and never payback to Pelosi Individually.
"If she experienced gone on this vacation she might have assured that 800,000 federal personnel would not acquire their 2nd paycheck simply because she wouldn't are listed here to barter almost any deal," a White Dwelling official told NBC.
The dueling letters involving the president along with the speaker come amid the just about four-week-long partial shutdown with the federal federal government over border protection disputes between Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico documented that Pelosi's vacation had been retained under wraps due to stability considerations.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized both of those his ally Trump and Pelosi following the president's letter to your speaker became community.
"Just one sophomoric reaction will not have earned Yet another. Speaker Pelosi's menace to terminate the Point out from the Union is rather irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham said within a series of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi armed service journey to go to our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO is likewise inappropriate."
Graham's Business told NBC Information that he remaining for Turkey on Wednesday night time over a professional flight.
"I'm glad the Speaker really wants to meet up with our troops and hear from our commanders and allies," Graham mentioned. "I am extremely dissatisfied she's taking part in politics With all the State from the Union," he stated. "I wish our political Management could discover the very same need to function for frequent objectives as people who provide our country in uniform and also other capacities."
So funny to watch Schumer groveling. He called for the firing of bad cop James Comey many times - UNTIL I FIRED HIM!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 17, 2019