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, significantly postponed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's planned abroad excursion with other associates of Congress to go to U.S. troops in Afghanistan shortly right before they ended up scheduled to depart on a navy airplane Thursday.
The president's abrupt, public action arrived each day after Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump in a very letter to possibly reschedule his forthcoming Condition of your Union deal with to your joint session of Congress or deliver it in composing.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited opportunity safety problems associated with the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other associates to go to NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan about another a number of days.
Pelosi and a number of other other customers of Congress have been about to depart the Capitol to travel to Joint Foundation Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe in the event the White Home introduced the postponement.
A White Dwelling official informed NBC Information that every one congressional delegations abroad that would have utilized federally funded armed forces aircraft are already grounded by Trump right until the shutdown finishes.
However, the White Home is permitting Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin together with other users with the Trump administration to journey to the globe Economic Discussion board in Davos, Switzerland, future 7 days.
"We'll reschedule this seven-working day excursion when 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 the tweet by White Residence push secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, did not point out Pelosi's call for him to postpone the Condition from the Union handle, which the president has not if not commented on. But his letter was witnessed as being a retaliation for her suggestion.
A White Dwelling official reported Trump "took fast motion" on Thursday soon after learning Pelosi was planning to go ahead and take journey.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, in a very series of tweets, wrote the congressional delegation's vacation to Afghanistan incorporated a demanded cease in Brussels for pilot relaxation.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to fulfill with leading NATO commanders, U.S. armed service leaders and key allies – to affirm The us' ironclad determination to the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He additional the weekend vacation to Afghanistan didn't consist of a end in Egypt, as Trump experienced prompt in his letter.
"The purpose of the trip was to specific appreciation and because of our Adult men and girls in uniform for his or her service and commitment, and to get essential countrywide protection and intelligence briefings from Those people on the front 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.
Property The greater part Chief Steny Hoyer, D-Md., claimed Trump's letter is "petty and preposterous and demeans the presidency."
"It can be smaller. It is really vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It is actually unbecoming of your president of America and it is actually an regretably everyday event."
White Residence officials, however, said Trump's shift was the result of his desire to close the shutdown, instead of payback to Pelosi personally.
"If she had long gone on this journey she would have confirmed that 800,000 federal staff would not acquire their 2nd paycheck since she wouldn't are listed here to negotiate almost any deal," a White House Formal informed NBC.
The dueling letters between the president plus the speaker arrive amid the nearly 4-7 days-prolonged partial shutdown of the federal govt more than border stability disputes among Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico claimed that Pelosi's journey were kept underneath wraps because of protection concerns.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized equally his ally Trump and Pelosi after the president's letter on the speaker turned public.
"One particular sophomoric reaction will not are entitled to An additional. Speaker Pelosi's risk to terminate the Point out from the Union is incredibly irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham reported within a series of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi armed service vacation to go to our troops William Barr in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO can also be inappropriate."
Graham's Business office explained to NBC Information that he remaining for Turkey on Wednesday night time on a industrial flight.
"I am glad the Speaker wishes to satisfy our troops and hear from our commanders and allies," Graham mentioned. "I am quite let down she's participating in politics with the State of the Union," he stated. "I want our political leadership could find the same desire to get the job done for popular goals as those who provide our country 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