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 Residence Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's prepared overseas vacation with other associates of Congress to go to U.S. troops in Afghanistan Soon ahead of they were scheduled to depart over a armed forces aircraft Thursday.
The president's abrupt, general public action came daily after Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump in a very letter to possibly reschedule his approaching Condition of your Union deal with into a joint session of Congress or supply it in crafting.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited prospective protection fears linked to the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other customers to go to NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan around the next a number of days.
Pelosi and a number of other other customers of Congress were being going to depart the Capitol to travel to Joint Foundation Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe in the event the White Home announced the postponement.
A White Residence official informed NBC News that all congressional delegations overseas that will have utilized federally funded navy plane have been grounded by Trump till the shutdown ends.
Nevertheless, the White Home is permitting Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin together with other customers on the Trump administration to journey to the entire world Economic Discussion board in Davos, Switzerland, upcoming 7 days.
"We'll reschedule this seven-working day excursion in the event 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 otherwise commented on. But his letter was witnessed as being a retaliation for her recommendation.
A White Home Formal stated Trump "took rapid action" on Thursday immediately after Understanding Pelosi was intending to go ahead and take journey.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, inside of a series of tweets, wrote the congressional delegation's vacation to Afghanistan incorporated a demanded quit in Brussels for pilot relaxation.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to fulfill with best NATO commanders, U.S. armed service leaders and important allies – to affirm The usa' ironclad determination towards the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He extra which the weekend trip to Afghanistan did not include things like a stop in Egypt, as Trump had proposed in his letter.
"The goal of the Heather Nauert vacation was to express appreciation and thanks to our Guys and ladies in uniform for his or her company and dedication, and to obtain vital nationwide protection and intelligence briefings from Those people on the front lines," Hammill stated.
"The President traveled to Iraq through the Trump Shutdown as did a Republican [congressional delegation] led by" Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., Hammill explained.
Household The vast majority Chief Steny Hoyer, D-Md., reported Trump's letter is "petty and absurd and demeans the presidency."
"It is really small. It's vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It's unbecoming from the president of the United States and it is an unfortunately daily occurrence."
White Dwelling officers, even so, mentioned Trump's move was the results of his need to stop the shutdown, and not payback to Pelosi Individually.
"If she experienced gone on this vacation she might have assured that 800,000 federal workers wouldn't obtain their next paycheck for the reason that she would not happen to be in this article to barter any type of offer," a White Property official explained to NBC.
The dueling letters amongst the president as well as the speaker occur amid the virtually four-7 days-lengthy partial shutdown of the federal governing administration in excess of border security disputes involving Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico noted that Pelosi's vacation had been retained below wraps as a consequence of safety fears.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized the two his ally Trump and Pelosi once the president's letter for the speaker turned public.
"One particular sophomoric reaction doesn't are entitled to An additional. Speaker Pelosi's menace to terminate the State in the Union may be very irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham stated in a very number of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi army journey to visit our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO is usually inappropriate."
Graham's Workplace advised NBC Information that he still left for Turkey on Wednesday evening over a professional flight.
"I'm happy the Speaker wants to meet our troops and hear from our commanders and allies," Graham stated. "I am really unhappy she's actively playing politics While using the Point out of your Union," he said. "I would like our political Management could locate the similar want to get the job done for prevalent plans as those 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