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, radically postponed Dwelling Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's planned abroad journey with other users of Congress to visit U.S. troops in Afghanistan shortly prior to they were being scheduled to depart on the military services plane Thursday.
The president's abrupt, general public motion arrived per day following Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump in a very letter to either reschedule his forthcoming Point out from the Union deal with to your joint session of Congress or deliver it in creating.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited opportunity stability issues connected with the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other users to go to NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan more than the following quite a few times.
Pelosi and several other other members of Congress have been going to depart the Capitol to push to Joint Foundation Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe if the White Dwelling declared the postponement.
A White Home official informed NBC Information that every one congressional delegations abroad that would have utilized federally funded armed forces aircraft are already grounded by Trump until eventually the shutdown finishes.
On the other hand, the White Dwelling is allowing for Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and also other customers on the Trump administration to journey to the entire world Economic Discussion board in Davos, Switzerland, upcoming week.
"We will reschedule this 7-day excursion in the event the Shutdown is about," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Definitely, if you want to to produce your journey by flying business, 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 produced general public in a very tweet by White House push secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, did not point out Pelosi's call for him to postpone the Condition from the Union handle, which the president has not if not commented on. But his letter was witnessed as being a retaliation for her recommendation.
A White Home Formal said Trump "took rapid action" on Thursday immediately after Understanding Pelosi was intending to take the excursion.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, in a series of tweets, wrote which the congressional delegation's trip to Afghanistan provided a essential cease in Brussels for pilot relaxation.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to fulfill with best NATO commanders, U.S. military services leaders and crucial allies – to affirm America' ironclad commitment to your NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He included that the weekend journey to Afghanistan didn't include a cease in Egypt, as Trump experienced prompt in his letter.
"The purpose of the trip was to specific appreciation and because of our Adult males and girls in uniform for their assistance and dedication, and to obtain essential countrywide protection and intelligence briefings from Those people around the front lines," Hammill mentioned.
"The President traveled to Iraq in the Trump Shutdown as did a Republican [congressional delegation] led by" Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., Hammill said.
Home Greater part Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., explained Trump's letter is "petty and preposterous and demeans the presidency."
"It truly is smaller. It is really vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It is unbecoming of the president of the United States and it is an unfortunately daily incidence."
White Household officials, nonetheless, mentioned Trump's move was the results of his need to conclude the shutdown, and never payback to Pelosi Individually.
"If she experienced gone on this trip she would've certain that 800,000 federal workers wouldn't obtain their second paycheck because she wouldn't are Jeff Sessions already listed here to negotiate almost any deal," a White House Formal informed NBC.
The dueling letters between the president as well as speaker appear amid the almost 4-week-extensive partial shutdown on the federal authorities around border safety disputes between Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico described that Pelosi's trip were kept beneath wraps because of protection issues.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized each his ally Trump and Pelosi once the president's letter towards the speaker grew to become general public.
"A single sophomoric reaction does not are entitled to An additional. Speaker Pelosi's menace to terminate the Point out in the Union may be very irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham stated in the number of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi military travel to visit our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO is usually inappropriate."
Graham's Workplace advised NBC Information that he remaining for Turkey on Wednesday night time with a commercial flight.
"I am glad the Speaker wishes to satisfy our troops and hear from our commanders and allies," Graham claimed. "I'm pretty disappointed she's taking part in politics Together with the Condition with the Union," he reported. "I would like our political Management could locate the exact want to do the job for popular objectives as people who serve our country in uniform and 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