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, drastically postponed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's planned overseas excursion with other users of Congress to visit U.S. troops in Afghanistan shortly before they have been scheduled to depart with a army aircraft Thursday.
The president's abrupt, community motion arrived each day right after Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump inside of a letter to possibly reschedule his approaching State from the Union deal with to some joint session of Congress or provide it in composing.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited likely protection fears related to the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other members to visit NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan more than the next a number of days.
Pelosi and several other other users of Congress were being going to depart the Capitol to push to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe when the White House declared the postponement.
A White Household official informed NBC News that every one congressional delegations abroad that might have employed federally funded army plane are actually grounded by Trump until eventually the shutdown ends.
Nevertheless, the White House is allowing Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin as well as other users on the Trump administration to travel to the World Financial Forum in Davos, Switzerland, future week.
"We will reschedule this seven-working day excursion in the event the Shutdown is above," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Clearly, if you prefer to to generate your journey by traveling 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 created general public within a tweet by White Dwelling press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, did not point out Pelosi's demand him to postpone the State on the Union handle, which the president has not normally commented on. But his letter was found as being a retaliation for her suggestion.
A White Dwelling Formal stated Trump "took rapid motion" on Thursday following Finding out Pelosi was intending to go ahead and take vacation.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, inside a series of tweets, wrote the congressional delegation's journey to Afghanistan involved a required cease in Brussels for pilot rest.
"In Brussels, keton diät the delegation was scheduled to satisfy with prime NATO commanders, U.S. armed service leaders and key allies – to affirm the United States' ironclad commitment for the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He extra the weekend excursion to Afghanistan did not incorporate a halt in Egypt, as Trump experienced prompt in his letter.
"The goal of the excursion was to specific appreciation and because of our Gentlemen and ladies in uniform for their services and commitment, and to obtain crucial national stability and intelligence briefings from Those people over the entrance traces," Hammill stated.
"The Tom Price President traveled to Iraq through the Trump Shutdown as did a Republican [congressional delegation] led by" Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., Hammill stated.
Home Vast majority Chief Steny Hoyer, D-Md., explained Trump's letter is "petty Wilbur Ross and preposterous and demeans the presidency."
"It is small. It is really vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It can be unbecoming on the president of The us and it is an regretably everyday prevalence."
White Property officials, having said that, explained Trump's move was the results of his desire to conclusion the shutdown, and never payback to Pelosi Individually.
"If she had absent on this trip she might have guaranteed that 800,000 federal staff wouldn't obtain their next paycheck since she wouldn't are actually listed here to barter any sort of offer," a White Home official explained to NBC.
The dueling letters among the president as well as speaker arrive amid the just about four-week-prolonged partial shutdown of the federal federal government around border security disputes amongst Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico claimed that Pelosi's trip had been stored underneath wraps due to safety worries.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized both of those his ally Trump and Pelosi once the president's letter to the speaker became public.
"One particular sophomoric reaction won't have earned another. Speaker Pelosi's risk to cancel the Condition on the Union is rather irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham reported 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 is also inappropriate."
Graham's Place of work advised NBC News that he left for Turkey on Wednesday night time with a business flight.
"I am glad the Speaker desires to meet our troops and listen to from our commanders and allies," Graham reported. "I'm quite unhappy she's taking part in politics With all the Point out with the Union," he claimed. "I desire our political leadership could locate the similar need to function for typical goals as people who serve our country in uniform along 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