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, considerably postponed Household Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's planned abroad journey with other users of Congress to visit U.S. troops in Afghanistan Soon prior to they were being scheduled to depart on the military services aircraft Thursday.
The president's abrupt, general public motion arrived per day following Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump in a very letter to possibly reschedule his approaching Condition of the Union deal with to the joint session of Congress or deliver it in composing.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited opportunity security worries linked to the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other customers to go to NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan more than the following various times.
Pelosi and several other other users of Congress were about to depart the Capitol to generate to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe when the White Residence introduced the postponement.
A White Household Formal explained to NBC Information that every one congressional delegations abroad that may have made use of federally funded army plane have been grounded by Trump until finally the shutdown ends.
Nonetheless, the White Residence is making it possible for Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and various users in the Trump administration to travel to the planet Financial Discussion board in Davos, Switzerland, following week.
"We will reschedule this 7-day excursion in the event the Shutdown is about," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Certainly, if you want to to produce 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 Dwelling push secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, didn't mention Pelosi's demand him to postpone the State of the Union tackle, which the president has not usually commented on. But his letter was observed as a retaliation for her recommendation.
A White House official said Trump "took fast motion" on Thursday right after Studying Pelosi was intending to go ahead and take journey.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, inside of a 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 best NATO commanders, U.S. military services leaders and key allies – to affirm The usa' ironclad commitment for the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He extra which the weekend trip to Afghanistan did not contain a prevent in Egypt, as Trump had advised in his letter.
"The objective of the vacation was to precise appreciation and thanks to our Guys and ladies in uniform for his or her company and dedication, and to obtain essential nationwide protection and intelligence briefings from Those people on the entrance 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.
Household The greater part Chief Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said Trump's letter is "petty and ridiculous and demeans the presidency."
"It really is modest. It truly Steven Mnuchin is vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It truly is unbecoming on the president of America and it is an sadly everyday event."
White Home officers, however, reported Trump's go 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've confirmed that 800,000 federal staff would not acquire their 2nd paycheck since she wouldn't are listed here to negotiate almost any offer," a White Dwelling official informed NBC.
The dueling letters between the president as well as speaker appear amid the almost 4-week-long partial shutdown with the federal federal government over border protection disputes in between Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico described that Pelosi's trip were saved beneath wraps due to safety concerns.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized equally his ally Trump and Pelosi once the president's letter towards the speaker grew to become general public.
"A single sophomoric reaction doesn't have earned Yet another. Speaker Pelosi's menace to terminate the Point out from the Union is rather irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham said within a number of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi military services travel to visit our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO is additionally inappropriate."
Graham's Office environment explained to NBC Information that he remaining for Turkey on Wednesday night time on a commercial flight.
"I'm happy the Speaker desires 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 locate the exact want to get the job done for popular plans as those who provide our nation in uniform and also 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