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 government shutdown, drastically postponed Residence Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's prepared overseas excursion with other members of Congress to visit U.S. troops in Afghanistan Soon ahead of they were being scheduled to depart on the military services plane Thursday.
The president's abrupt, community motion arrived each day just after Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump within a letter to possibly reschedule his upcoming State with the Union handle to some joint session of Congress or supply it in crafting.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited prospective protection concerns linked to the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other customers to go to NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan over the following numerous days.
Pelosi and a number of other other customers of Congress ended up going to depart the Capitol to push to Joint Foundation Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe if the White Household declared the postponement.
A White Dwelling Formal explained to NBC Information that every one congressional delegations abroad that could have utilised federally funded armed forces aircraft are already grounded by Trump until eventually the shutdown finishes.
On the other hand, the White Household is letting Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin as well as other members of the Trump administration to vacation to the whole world Financial Forum in Davos, Switzerland, next 7 days.
"We are going to reschedule this seven-working day tour once the Shutdown is over," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Obviously, if you prefer to for making your journey by flying commercial, 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 manufactured public in a very tweet by White Property press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, did not point out Pelosi's call for him to postpone the Point out on the Union address, which the president hasn't or else commented on. But his letter was found being a retaliation for her recommendation.
A White Property Formal explained Trump "took immediate action" on Thursday after Mastering Pelosi was planning to take the excursion.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, inside a number of tweets, wrote which the congressional delegation's journey to Afghanistan bundled a necessary prevent in Brussels for pilot rest.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to satisfy with major NATO commanders, U.S. armed forces leaders and vital allies – to affirm The us' ironclad commitment on the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He included that the weekend journey to Afghanistan did not involve a stop in Egypt, as Trump had instructed in his letter.
"The goal of the trip was to express appreciation and thanks to our Gentlemen and ladies in uniform for his or her company and dedication, and to obtain vital nationwide protection and intelligence briefings from All those on the entrance strains," Hammill said.
"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 compact. It's vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It Ketogene Ernährung is unbecoming from the president of the United States and it is an unfortunately every day prevalence."
White Dwelling officers, even so, mentioned Trump's transfer was the results of his need to stop the shutdown, and not payback to Pelosi Individually.
"If she had gone on this excursion she might have guaranteed that 800,000 federal staff would not acquire their 2nd paycheck due to the fact she would not are actually below to negotiate virtually any offer," a White Home Formal advised NBC.
The dueling letters in between the president as well as speaker appear amid the almost 4-week-long partial shutdown with the federal federal government over border protection disputes in between Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico described that Pelosi's trip had been saved beneath wraps due to safety concerns.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized equally his ally Trump and Pelosi once the president's letter for the speaker grew to become general public.
"A single sophomoric reaction would not are worthy of A further. Speaker Pelosi's threat to cancel the Condition of your Union is extremely irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham explained inside of a series of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi armed forces journey to go to our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO is usually inappropriate."
Graham's Place of work advised NBC Information that he still left for Turkey on Wednesday evening over a professional flight.
"I'm happy the Speaker hopes to meet our troops and hear from our commanders and allies," Graham stated. "I am extremely dissatisfied she's enjoying politics Along with the Point out with the Union," he reported. "I would like our political Management could discover the very same need to operate for prevalent aims as individuals that provide our nation 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