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, significantly postponed Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's prepared overseas excursion with other members of Congress to visit U.S. troops in Afghanistan shortly prior to they had been scheduled to depart over a army aircraft Thursday.
The president's abrupt, general public motion arrived per day after Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump in the letter to possibly reschedule his upcoming Condition of your Union deal with to your joint session of Congress or produce it in creating.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited likely protection concerns connected with the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other users to go to NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan over the following various times.
Pelosi and several other other users of Congress were being going to depart the Capitol to travel to Joint Foundation Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe in the event the White House announced the postponement.
A White Home official told NBC News that every one congressional delegations abroad that may have made use of federally funded military plane have been grounded by Trump till the shutdown finishes.
However, the White House is enabling Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin as well as other members of the Trump administration to vacation to the earth Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, up coming week.
"We'll reschedule this seven-working day tour once the Shutdown is above," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Naturally, if you want 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 public in a very tweet by White Property press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, did not point out Pelosi's call for him to postpone the Point out in the Union address, which the president has not otherwise commented on. But his letter was viewed as being a retaliation for her recommendation.
A White Residence Formal stated Trump "took speedy action" on Thursday just after Understanding Pelosi was intending to take the excursion.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, in a series of tweets, wrote which the congressional delegation's trip to Afghanistan provided a required end in Brussels for pilot relaxation.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to meet with prime NATO commanders, U.S. military services leaders and crucial allies – to affirm The usa' ironclad determination towards the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He extra the weekend vacation to Afghanistan didn't contain a halt in Egypt, as Trump experienced recommended in his letter.
"The objective of the journey was to specific appreciation and due to our men and women in uniform for their support and devotion, and to acquire significant countrywide stability and intelligence briefings from those around the front lines," Hammill stated.
"The President traveled to Iraq in the course of the Trump Shutdown as did a Republican [congressional delegation] led by" Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., Hammill reported.
Dwelling Vast majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said Trump's letter is "petty and ridiculous and demeans the presidency."
"It's small. It is vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It's unbecoming from the president of the United States and it is an sadly daily prevalence."
White Dwelling officers, even so, mentioned Trump's move was the results of his need to conclude the shutdown, and never payback to Pelosi Individually.
"If she experienced gone on this vacation she might have guaranteed that 800,000 federal staff would not receive their 2nd paycheck due to the fact she would not are actually listed here to negotiate virtually any deal," a White House Formal told NBC.
The dueling letters concerning the president along with the speaker come amid the approximately four-7 days-extended partial shutdown of the federal govt more than border stability disputes in between Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico claimed that Pelosi's journey were kept beneath wraps because of protection concerns.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized both of those his ally Trump and Pelosi after the president's letter to your speaker became public.
"Just one sophomoric response will not have earned An additional. Speaker Pelosi's menace to terminate the Point out from the Union is incredibly irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham reported inside a series of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi navy vacation to go to our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO is also inappropriate."
Graham's Place of work instructed NBC Information that he remaining for Turkey on Wednesday Andrew R. Wheeler night time with a professional flight.
"I'm happy the Speaker wants to meet our troops and listen to from our commanders and allies," Graham stated. "I am extremely dissatisfied she's enjoying politics Along with the Condition on the Union," he claimed. "I desire our political Management could discover the very same need to perform for frequent targets as people who 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