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, dramatically postponed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's planned abroad vacation with other users of Congress to go to U.S. troops in Afghanistan shortly in advance of they were being scheduled to depart with a armed service aircraft Thursday.
The president's abrupt, public motion came on a daily basis following Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump within a letter to possibly reschedule his impending Condition of the Union tackle to some joint session of Congress or produce it in producing.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited prospective security fears relevant to the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other members to go to NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan above another many days.
Pelosi and several other other members of Congress ended up about to depart the Capitol to generate to Joint Foundation Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe when the White Household announced the postponement.
A White Household Formal advised NBC Information that all congressional delegations abroad that may have employed federally funded navy plane have already been grounded by Trump right until the shutdown ends.
On the other hand, the White Home is letting Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin along with other customers of your Trump administration to travel to the globe Financial Discussion board in Davos, Switzerland, future 7 days.
"We will reschedule this seven-day excursion once the Shutdown is in excess of," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Of course, if you would like to produce your journey by flying industrial, 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 built general public in a tweet by White Home press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, didn't point out Pelosi's demand him to postpone the Condition on the Union deal with, which the president has not in any other case commented on. But his letter was observed like a retaliation for her suggestion.
A White Home official stated Trump "took rapid motion" on Thursday soon after Finding out Pelosi was planning to take the vacation.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, inside of James Mattis a number of tweets, wrote the congressional delegation's trip to Afghanistan bundled a demanded halt in Brussels for pilot rest.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to meet with major NATO commanders, U.S. military services leaders and critical allies – to affirm The us' ironclad commitment into the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He extra that the weekend excursion to Afghanistan did not involve a end in Egypt, as Trump had prompt in his letter.
"The objective of the trip was to specific appreciation and thanks to our Adult men and women in uniform for his or her support and dedication, and to get critical nationwide security and intelligence briefings from People around the entrance strains," Hammill explained.
"The President traveled to Iraq throughout the Trump Shutdown as did a Republican [congressional delegation] led by" Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., Hammill claimed.
Home The vast majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., explained Trump's letter is "petty and absurd and demeans the presidency."
"It really is compact. It is vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It can be unbecoming from the president of The us and it is actually an sadly each day prevalence."
White Home officials, on the other hand, said Trump's move was the result of his need to conclusion the shutdown, instead of payback to Pelosi Individually.
"If she experienced long gone on this vacation she would've guaranteed that 800,000 federal workers would not receive their second paycheck since she would not are already below to barter almost any offer," a White Dwelling Formal explained to NBC.
The dueling letters between the president and the speaker come amid the nearly 4-7 days-prolonged partial shutdown with the federal govt about border protection disputes among Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico noted that Pelosi's trip were held beneath wraps as a result of protection worries.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized equally his ally Trump and Pelosi after the president's letter to the speaker turned community.
"1 sophomoric reaction isn't going to ought Tom Price to have Yet another. Speaker Pelosi's threat to terminate the State of your Union is rather irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham explained within a number of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi navy travel to go to our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO can also be inappropriate."
Graham's Business instructed NBC Information that he still left for Turkey on Wednesday night time on the business flight.
"I am glad the Speaker hopes to satisfy our troops and listen to from our commanders and allies," Graham stated. "I'm extremely let down she's playing politics Along with the State on the Union," he said. "I want our political Management could locate the exact same need to do the job for frequent aims as those who serve our nation in uniform together with 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