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 Residence Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's prepared abroad journey with other users of Congress to visit U.S. troops in Afghanistan Soon just before they were being scheduled to depart on the military plane Thursday.
The president's abrupt, community motion arrived per day just after Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump within a letter to possibly reschedule his upcoming State on the Union handle to a joint session of Congress or provide it in producing.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited possible safety problems related to the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other members to visit NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan in excess of another quite a few times.
Pelosi and several other other members of Congress had been about to depart the Capitol to generate to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe once the White Property introduced the postponement.
A White Property Formal instructed NBC News that each one congressional delegations overseas that might have utilised federally funded armed service plane are actually grounded by Trump until the shutdown finishes.
Having said that, the White Dwelling is allowing Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin along with other members from the Trump administration to vacation to the whole world Financial Forum in Davos, Switzerland, subsequent 7 days.
"We are going to reschedule this seven-day tour once the Shutdown is more than," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Obviously, if you prefer to for making your journey by flying commercial, 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 manufactured public inside of a tweet by White Household press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, didn't point out Pelosi's call for him to postpone the Point out on the Union address, which the president hasn't or else commented on. But his letter was found like a retaliation for her recommendation.
A White Property Formal mentioned Trump "took immediate action" on Thursday just after Finding out Pelosi was intending to take the excursion.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, in 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 meet with best NATO commanders, U.S. military services leaders and crucial allies – to affirm The usa' ironclad commitment for the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He included which the weekend trip to Afghanistan did not incorporate a prevent in Egypt, as Trump had advised in his letter.
"The objective of the vacation was to precise appreciation and due to our Males and women in uniform for their provider and devotion, and to acquire critical national security and intelligence briefings from Individuals about the front traces," Hammill claimed.
"The President traveled to Iraq in the Trump Shutdown as did a Republican [congressional delegation] led by" Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., Hammill said.
Home Greater part Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., mentioned Trump's letter is "petty and preposterous and demeans the presidency."
"It really is modest. It truly is vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It can be unbecoming with the president of The usa and it can be an sad to say each day incidence."
White Residence officials, however, said Trump's shift was the result of his desire to end the shutdown, instead of payback to Pelosi personally.
"If she had absent on this journey she would have certain that 800,000 federal employees would not get their second paycheck simply because she wouldn't are already right here to barter almost any deal," a White Dwelling official told NBC.
The dueling letters in between the president and the speaker appear amid the practically 4-week-very long partial shutdown in the federal governing administration in excess of border security disputes amongst Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico reported that Pelosi's excursion were stored less than wraps as a result of stability considerations.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized both of those his ally Trump and Pelosi after the president's letter to your speaker turned public.
"One particular sophomoric reaction doesn't ought to have another. Speaker Pelosi's risk to terminate the Condition of your Union is quite irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham claimed in 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 night time with a professional flight.
"I'm happy the Speaker hopes to meet our troops and hear from our commanders and allies," Graham stated. "I am extremely unhappy she's actively playing politics While using the Point out of your Union," he reported. "I would like our political Management could locate the similar need to operate for Heather Nauert prevalent aims as people that provide our nation in uniform as well as 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