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 House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's planned abroad trip with other members of Congress to visit U.S. troops in Afghanistan shortly prior to they have been scheduled to depart over a military plane Thursday.
The president's abrupt, public action came per day immediately after Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump inside a letter to both reschedule his forthcoming Condition of your Union handle to a joint session of Congress or deliver it in writing.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited prospective safety considerations connected with the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other customers to visit NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan above the following numerous days.
Pelosi and several other other users of Congress ended up going to depart the Capitol to generate to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe when the White Dwelling introduced the postponement.
A White Household Formal advised NBC News that every one congressional delegations overseas that will have used federally funded military plane are already grounded by Trump right up until the shutdown ends.
However, the White Dwelling is allowing for Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and various customers in the Trump administration to vacation to the earth Economic Discussion board in Davos, Switzerland, subsequent 7 days.
"We'll reschedule this 7-day tour when the Shutdown is about," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Naturally, if you would like for making your journey by flying business, that would certainly 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 designed public in the tweet by White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, didn't point out Pelosi's demand him to postpone the State with the Union address, which the president has not usually commented on. But his letter was seen being a retaliation for her recommendation.
A White House official reported Trump "took instant action" on Thursday just after Studying Pelosi was planning to go ahead and take excursion.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, in a series of tweets, wrote that the congressional delegation's journey to Afghanistan provided a demanded quit in Brussels for pilot rest.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to meet with best NATO commanders, U.S. armed service leaders and vital allies – to affirm the United States' ironclad commitment towards the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He additional that the weekend journey to Afghanistan did not consist of a cease in Egypt, as Trump had advised in his letter.
"The objective of the journey was to express appreciation and thanks to our Males and girls in uniform for his or her assistance and devotion, and to get essential nationwide security and intelligence briefings from These around the entrance strains," Hammill explained.
"The President traveled to Steven Mnuchin Iraq over the Trump Shutdown as did a Republican [congressional delegation] led by" Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., Hammill explained.
Property Bulk Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., reported Trump's letter is "petty and preposterous and demeans the presidency."
"It really is tiny. It is vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It is unbecoming of your president of The usa and it really is an sadly daily incidence."
White Residence officers, even so, stated Trump's shift was the result of his want to stop the shutdown, instead of payback to Pelosi personally.
"If she experienced gone on this excursion she would've assured that 800,000 federal personnel would not get their second paycheck due to the fact she would not are right here to barter any kind of deal," a White Household official advised NBC.
The dueling letters between the president plus the speaker occur amid the practically four-7 days-extensive partial shutdown in the federal govt more than border safety disputes concerning Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico reported that Pelosi's journey had been held beneath wraps due to stability considerations.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized the two his ally Trump and Pelosi once the president's letter to your Elaine Chao speaker became general public.
"1 sophomoric reaction doesn't should have An additional. Speaker Pelosi's threat to cancel the State from the Union is quite irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham explained in a very number of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi military services vacation to go to our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO is likewise inappropriate."
Graham's Office environment explained to NBC Information that he still left for Turkey on Wednesday night on a professional flight.
"I'm glad the Speaker wishes to satisfy our troops and listen to from our commanders Steven Mnuchin and allies," Graham reported. "I'm really dissatisfied she's taking part in politics Using the Point out with the Union," he explained. "I want our political leadership could discover the identical desire to do the job for prevalent targets as those that provide our nation 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