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 Property Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's planned abroad trip with other customers of Congress to visit U.S. troops in Afghanistan Soon ahead of they were scheduled to depart over a military aircraft Thursday.
The president's abrupt, general public action came every day following Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump in a very letter to either reschedule his forthcoming Point out from the Union tackle to the joint session of Congress or deliver it in composing.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited potential 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 the subsequent several days.
Pelosi and a number of other other associates of Congress ended up going to depart the Capitol to travel to Joint Foundation Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe in the event the White House announced the postponement.
A White Home official informed NBC News that all congressional delegations overseas that will have employed federally funded armed forces aircraft have already been grounded by Trump until eventually the shutdown finishes.
Even so, the White Household is allowing for Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin along with other customers on the Trump administration to vacation to the earth Financial Forum in Davos, Switzerland, next 7 days.
"We are going to reschedule this seven-working day tour once the Shutdown is more than," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Obviously, if you would like to help make your journey by traveling 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 designed public in a tweet by White Household press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, didn't mention Pelosi's demand him to postpone the State of your Union deal with, which the president hasn't normally commented on. But his letter was noticed to be a retaliation for her suggestion.
A White Dwelling official reported Trump "took quick motion" on Thursday right after learning Pelosi was planning to go ahead and take trip.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, in a Andrew Puzder very series of tweets, wrote the congressional delegation's vacation to Afghanistan integrated a expected quit in Brussels for pilot relaxation.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to fulfill 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 extra which the weekend trip to Afghanistan did not include a end in Egypt, as Trump experienced suggested in his letter.
"The purpose of the journey was to specific appreciation and due to our Adult males and women in uniform for their support and devotion, and to acquire critical national security and intelligence briefings from Individuals about the entrance 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 stated.
Home Bulk Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., mentioned Trump's letter is "petty and preposterous and demeans the presidency."
"It truly is modest. It can be vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It is actually unbecoming of your president of America and it is actually an regretably day by day prevalence."
White Property officials, nevertheless, stated Trump's move was the results of his need to finish the shutdown, and not payback to Pelosi Individually.
"If she had gone on this vacation she might have guaranteed that 800,000 federal personnel would not receive their 2nd paycheck since she wouldn't are actually below to negotiate virtually any deal," a White Home Formal informed NBC.
The dueling letters between the president as well as speaker arrive amid the almost 4-week-very long partial shutdown in the federal government about border security disputes concerning Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico documented that Pelosi's trip had been saved beneath wraps because of protection concerns.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized equally his ally Trump and Pelosi after the president's letter on the speaker turned public.
"One particular sophomoric reaction doesn't are entitled to An additional. Speaker Pelosi's risk to terminate the Point out of the Union is incredibly irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham reported within a series of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi armed service vacation to go to our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO can also be inappropriate."
Graham's Business office explained to NBC Information that he remaining for Turkey on Wednesday night time with a commercial flight.
"I am happy the Speaker wants to satisfy our troops and hear from our commanders and allies," Graham stated. "I am really unhappy she's actively playing politics with the Point out of the Union," he stated. "I wish our political Management could locate the similar want to get the job done for popular plans as those who provide our country 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