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 Dwelling Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's planned overseas excursion with other users of Congress to go to U.S. troops in Afghanistan shortly in advance of they were scheduled to depart on the military services plane Thursday.
The president's abrupt, public action came every day immediately after Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump in a letter to either reschedule his impending Condition of your Union address to some joint session of Congress or supply it in producing.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited potential security concerns associated with the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other associates to visit NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan more than the next a number of days.
Pelosi and several other users of Congress were being going to depart the Capitol to travel to Joint Foundation Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe if the White Property introduced the postponement.
A White Residence official explained to NBC Information that each one congressional delegations overseas that would have used federally funded army plane are grounded by Trump until eventually the shutdown ends.
Nevertheless, the White House is allowing for Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and other customers in 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 if the Shutdown is more than," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Of course, if you want to to create your journey by traveling commercial, 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 produced community in a tweet by White Property push secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, did not mention Pelosi's demand him to postpone the Point out in the Union handle, which the president has not normally commented on. But his letter was observed to be a Rex Tillerson retaliation for her suggestion.
A White Property Formal said Trump "took fast motion" on Thursday after Finding out Pelosi was intending to go ahead and take trip.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, within a series of tweets, wrote the congressional delegation's vacation to Afghanistan included a necessary halt in Brussels for pilot relaxation.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to fulfill with leading NATO commanders, U.S. navy leaders and critical allies – to affirm America' ironclad determination to the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He added that the weekend trip to Afghanistan did not consist of a cease in Egypt, Andrew R. Wheeler as Trump had advised in his letter.
"The objective of the journey was to express appreciation and thanks to our Males and women in uniform for their service and dedication, and to obtain critical countrywide stability and intelligence briefings from Those people about the entrance traces," Heather Nauert Hammill mentioned.
"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 explained.
Residence Bulk Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., reported Trump's letter is "petty and absurd and demeans the presidency."
"It truly is modest. It really is vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It's unbecoming of the president of America and it truly is an regrettably every day 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 long gone on this trip she might have guaranteed that 800,000 federal staff would not get their next paycheck mainly because she would not are right here to barter any kind of deal," a White House official explained to NBC.
The dueling letters among the president as well as speaker arrive amid the just about four-week-very long partial shutdown from the federal govt over border safety disputes concerning Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico noted that Pelosi's excursion were kept below wraps resulting from stability issues.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized equally his ally Trump and Pelosi once the president's letter to the speaker became public.
"One particular sophomoric reaction would not deserve One more. Speaker Pelosi's danger to terminate the Point out of your Union is extremely irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham mentioned in the number of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi armed service vacation to go to our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO is likewise inappropriate."
Graham's Business explained to NBC Information that he remaining for Turkey on Wednesday evening on the industrial flight.
"I am happy 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 the Union," he said. "I would like our political leadership could find the same want to get the job done for widespread targets as those that provide our nation 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