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, drastically postponed Residence Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's prepared overseas vacation with other associates of Congress to go to U.S. troops in Afghanistan Soon ahead of they had been scheduled to depart over a military aircraft Thursday.
The president's abrupt, community motion came daily right after Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump inside of a letter to either reschedule his forthcoming Point out in the Union tackle to the joint session of Congress or deliver it in creating.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited possible protection concerns connected with the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other customers to go to NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan about another several days.
Pelosi and several other members of Congress had been about to depart the Capitol to drive to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe when the White Residence introduced the postponement.
A White Residence official advised NBC News that each one congressional delegations overseas that will have employed federally funded navy aircraft are grounded by Trump until eventually the shutdown finishes.
Even so, the White Property is letting Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and other users of your Trump administration to travel to the World Financial Forum in Davos, Switzerland, subsequent 7 days.
"We are going to reschedule this seven-working day excursion once the Shutdown is over," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Of course, if you prefer to for making 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 general public in the tweet by White Residence push secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, did not point out Pelosi's call for him to postpone the Condition from the Union tackle, which the president has not usually commented on. But his letter was observed as a retaliation for her suggestion.
A White House official said Trump "took fast motion" on Thursday right after learning Pelosi was planning to go ahead and take trip.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, in the number of tweets, wrote that the congressional delegation's excursion to Afghanistan included a essential stop in Brussels for pilot rest.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to satisfy with major NATO commanders, U.S. armed forces leaders and critical allies – to affirm the United States' ironclad dedication to your NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He added that the weekend journey to Afghanistan did not include things like a stop in Egypt, as Trump had proposed in his letter.
"The goal of the vacation was to precise appreciation and thanks to our Males and ladies in uniform for their provider and perseverance, and to acquire critical countrywide stability and intelligence briefings from those within the front lines," 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.
Household The vast majority Chief Steny Hoyer, D-Md., reported Trump's letter is "petty and absurd and demeans the presidency."
"It can be smaller. It can be vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It can be unbecoming with the president of The usa and it truly is an however day-to-day event."
White Residence officials, having said that, reported Trump's go was the result of his desire to close the shutdown, rather than payback to Pelosi personally.
"If she experienced absent on this journey she would have certain that 800,000 federal employees wouldn't get their second paycheck because she wouldn't are already right here to barter any sort of offer," a White Property official instructed NBC.
The dueling letters Linda McMahon among the president and also the speaker occur amid the practically 4-week-extensive partial shutdown on the federal government about border security disputes involving Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico noted that Pelosi's vacation had been held less than wraps on account of stability worries.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized both his ally Trump and Pelosi following the president's letter into the speaker became community.
"A person sophomoric response isn't going to deserve Yet another. Speaker Pelosi's menace to terminate the Condition with the Union is extremely irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham explained inside of a series of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi army journey to go to our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO is likewise inappropriate."
Graham's office informed NBC News that he still left for Turkey on Wednesday evening over a business flight.
"I'm happy the Speaker would like to fulfill our troops and listen to from our commanders and allies," Graham said. "I'm pretty disappointed she's playing politics Using the State from the Union," he mentioned. "I want our political leadership could find the same want to do the job for popular plans as individuals that 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