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, drastically postponed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's planned overseas vacation with other members of Congress to visit U.S. troops in Afghanistan shortly in advance of they were scheduled to depart on the armed service airplane Thursday.
The president's abrupt, public action came per day after Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump inside a letter to both reschedule his forthcoming Point out with the Union handle to the joint session of Congress or produce it in writing.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited possible security concerns linked to the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other associates to visit NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan about another various times.
Pelosi and a number of other other associates of Congress have been about to depart the Capitol to drive to Joint Foundation Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe if the White Household introduced the postponement.
A White Property official told NBC Information that each one congressional delegations overseas that may have made use of federally funded military services plane have already been grounded by Trump until finally the shutdown ends.
However, the White Dwelling is letting Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and other customers on the Trump administration to travel to the whole world Economic Discussion board in Davos, Switzerland, following week.
"We are going to reschedule this seven-working day excursion in the event the Shutdown is in excess of," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Clearly, if you prefer to to generate your journey by flying business, that would certainly 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 designed 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 your Union address, which the president has not if not commented on. But his letter was observed to be a retaliation for her suggestion.
A White Residence Formal reported Trump "took instant action" on Thursday just after Studying Pelosi was planning to go ahead and take vacation.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, in a series of tweets, wrote the congressional delegation's excursion to Afghanistan involved a essential prevent in Brussels for pilot rest.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to meet with best NATO commanders, U.S. armed service leaders and key allies – to affirm the United States' ironclad dedication on the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He extra which the weekend excursion to Afghanistan didn't involve a stop in Egypt, as Trump experienced suggested in his letter.
"The purpose of the vacation was to precise appreciation and due to our men and girls in uniform for his or her company and perseverance, and to acquire significant countrywide protection and intelligence briefings from People about the front lines," Hammill said.
"The President traveled to Iraq during the Trump Shutdown as did a Republican [congressional delegation] led by" Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., Hammill said.
Dwelling The vast majority Chief Steny Hoyer, D-Md., explained Trump's letter is "petty and ridiculous and demeans the presidency."
"It is little. It's vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It is actually unbecoming ketogene ernährung of your president of The us and it really is an sadly daily incidence."
White Home officers, even so, mentioned Trump's shift was the result of his want to stop the shutdown, instead of payback to Pelosi personally.
"If she experienced gone on this vacation she might have confirmed that 800,000 federal employees wouldn't obtain their next paycheck due to the fact she wouldn't have already been in this article to negotiate almost any offer," a White Property Tom Price Formal informed NBC.
The dueling letters involving the president as well as the speaker occur amid the almost four-7 days-long partial shutdown on the federal government in excess of border stability disputes in between Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico described that Pelosi's vacation were kept below wraps as a consequence of security considerations.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized both equally his ally Trump and Pelosi once the president's letter towards the speaker grew to become community.
"Just one sophomoric reaction does not should have One more. Speaker Pelosi's menace to terminate the Condition of the Union is extremely irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham mentioned in the number of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi armed service journey to visit our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO can be inappropriate."
Graham's Workplace informed NBC News that he remaining for Turkey on Wednesday night time over a William Barr business flight.
"I am glad the Speaker wants to fulfill our troops and listen to from our commanders and allies," Graham claimed. "I am really unhappy she's taking part in politics With all the State of your Union," he reported. "I desire our political leadership could find the exact need to operate for frequent objectives as those who provide our nation 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