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, substantially postponed Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's prepared overseas excursion with other customers of Congress to go to U.S. troops in Afghanistan Soon right before they have been scheduled to depart over a military services plane Thursday.
The president's abrupt, community action came daily following Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump in the letter to possibly reschedule his impending Point out of your Union handle to a joint session of Congress or deliver it in writing.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited prospective safety worries relevant to the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other customers to go to NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan about the subsequent various times.
Pelosi and a number of other other associates of Congress have been about to depart the Capitol to drive to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe in the event the White Household declared the postponement.
A White Property official informed NBC News that every one congressional delegations overseas that could have utilised federally funded navy aircraft have been grounded by Trump until the shutdown finishes.
Even so, the White Property is letting Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and other customers in the Trump administration to travel to the earth Economic Discussion board in Davos, Switzerland, up coming 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 industrial, that will surely 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 the tweet by White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, didn't point out Pelosi's call for him to postpone the Condition of the Union deal with, which the president hasn't or else commented on. But his letter was viewed like a retaliation for her recommendation.
A White House official explained Trump "took instant action" on Thursday immediately after Studying Pelosi was intending to take the journey.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, in the number of tweets, wrote that the congressional delegation's journey to Afghanistan involved a demanded quit in Brussels for pilot rest.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to meet with top rated NATO commanders, U.S. military leaders and crucial allies – to affirm The usa' ironclad motivation into the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He included which the weekend vacation to Afghanistan didn't include a quit in Egypt, as Trump had proposed in his letter.
"The objective of the excursion was to specific appreciation and because of our Adult men and ladies in uniform for their support and determination, and to get essential nationwide safety and intelligence briefings from These around the front strains," Hammill claimed.
"The President traveled to 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 absurd and demeans the presidency."
"It can be modest. It really is vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It really is unbecoming from the president of America and it truly is an regrettably daily prevalence."
White House officials, nevertheless, said Trump's go was the result of his need to finish the shutdown, rather than payback to Pelosi personally.
"If she experienced gone on this excursion she would have certain that 800,000 federal workers wouldn't receive their 2nd paycheck since she would not are actually listed here to barter any sort of offer," a Wilbur Ross White Home Formal told NBC.
The dueling letters amongst the president and also the speaker appear amid the nearly four-week-extensive partial shutdown in the federal governing administration more than border protection disputes concerning Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico noted that Pelosi's excursion were saved below wraps resulting from stability issues.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized equally his ally Trump and Pelosi following the president's letter into the speaker turned general public.
"1 sophomoric response will not are entitled to A further. Speaker Pelosi's danger to terminate the Point out of the Union is extremely irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham mentioned within a series of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi armed forces travel to visit our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO can also be inappropriate."
Graham's Workplace informed NBC News that he remaining for Turkey on Wednesday night time Robert Wilkie over a industrial flight.
"I am happy the Speaker hopes to fulfill our troops Nikki Haley and listen to from our commanders and allies," Graham mentioned. "I am extremely disappointed she's playing politics with the Point out of your Union," he said. "I would like our political Management could find the same want to operate for widespread targets as those that provide our nation in uniform as well as 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