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 Dwelling Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's prepared abroad excursion with other associates of Congress to go to U.S. troops in Afghanistan Soon right before they were scheduled to depart with a military services airplane Thursday.
The president's abrupt, community action arrived every day soon after Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump in the letter to either reschedule his future State of your Union tackle into a joint session of Congress or deliver it in crafting.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited likely security fears relevant to the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other members to visit NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan above another many days.
Pelosi and a number of other other members of Congress ended up going to depart the Capitol to generate to Joint Foundation Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe once the White Dwelling announced the postponement.
A White Dwelling official advised NBC Information that all congressional delegations abroad that would have utilised federally funded army aircraft are actually grounded by Trump until finally the shutdown finishes.
However, the White Residence is allowing Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin together with other members in the Trump administration to journey to the whole world Financial Forum in Davos, Switzerland, up coming week.
"We are going to reschedule this 7-working day tour in the event the Shutdown is over," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Certainly, if you desire to to help make your journey by traveling professional, 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 made public inside a tweet by White Home press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, did not point out Pelosi's call for him to postpone the State with the Union deal with, which the president hasn't otherwise commented on. But his letter was observed as being a retaliation for her recommendation.
A White Household Formal explained Trump "took fast action" on Thursday right after Finding out Pelosi was planning to go ahead and take vacation.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, in a very series of tweets, wrote that the congressional delegation's trip to Afghanistan incorporated a demanded cease in Brussels for pilot rest.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to fulfill with top rated NATO commanders, U.S. navy leaders and crucial allies – to affirm the United States' ironclad determination on the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He additional which the weekend excursion to Afghanistan did not include things like a end in Egypt, as Trump had prompt in his letter.
"The objective of the vacation was to specific appreciation and thanks to our Adult men and women in uniform for his or her services and perseverance, and to get critical nationwide stability and intelligence briefings from Those people to the front traces," Hammill said.
"The President Nikki Haley traveled to Iraq over the Trump Shutdown as did a Republican [congressional delegation] led by" Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., Hammill mentioned.
Household Greater part Chief Steny Hoyer, D-Md., mentioned Trump's letter is "petty and absurd and demeans the presidency."
"It is smaller. It is vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It truly is unbecoming of the president of The us and it is actually an sadly each day prevalence."
White Home officials, even so, reported Trump's move was the result of his desire to conclude the shutdown, instead of payback to Pelosi Individually.
"If she experienced absent on this excursion she would've confirmed that 800,000 federal workers would not receive their second paycheck due to the fact she would not are in this article to barter any kind of offer," a White House Formal told NBC.
The dueling letters in between the president as well as the speaker arrive amid the practically four-week-long partial shutdown from the federal authorities more than border security disputes in between Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico reported that Pelosi's trip were held below wraps as a result of security concerns.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized both his ally Trump and Pelosi once the president's letter on the speaker became general public.
"Just one sophomoric response doesn't deserve another. Speaker Pelosi's danger to cancel the Point out with the Union is incredibly irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham stated inside of a series of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi army vacation to visit our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO is usually inappropriate."
Graham's Mick Mulvaney Office environment informed NBC Information that he left for Turkey on Wednesday evening on a business flight.
"I'm glad the Speaker hopes to satisfy our troops and listen to from our commanders and allies," Graham mentioned. "I'm extremely let down she's taking part in politics While using the State with the Union," he claimed. "I desire our political leadership could discover the same need to do the job for typical aims as those that serve our country 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