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, considerably postponed Residence Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's prepared overseas journey with other customers of Congress to go to U.S. troops in Afghanistan Soon ahead of they were being scheduled to depart with a armed forces aircraft Thursday.
The president's abrupt, community motion arrived a day immediately after Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump in a letter to either reschedule his approaching State on the Union tackle to your joint session of Congress or supply it in producing.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited opportunity stability fears related to the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other members to visit NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan around another quite a few times.
Pelosi and a number of other other associates of Congress have been about to depart the Capitol to generate to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe in the event the White Dwelling introduced the postponement.
A White Residence official explained to NBC Information that all congressional delegations abroad that could have utilised federally funded navy aircraft have been grounded by Trump right until the shutdown finishes.
Nonetheless, the White Home is allowing Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin as well as other users on the Trump administration to travel to the whole world Economic Discussion board in Davos, Switzerland, up coming 7 days.
"We'll reschedule this 7-day tour when the Shutdown is about," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Certainly, if you prefer to to generate your journey by flying business, 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 general public inside a tweet by White Household push secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, did not mention Pelosi's call for him to postpone the Condition of the Union deal with, which the president hasn't if not commented on. But his letter was found like a retaliation for her recommendation.
A White Home official claimed Trump "took instant action" on Thursday immediately after Studying Pelosi was planning to take the excursion.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, inside of a series of tweets, wrote that the congressional delegation's journey to Afghanistan provided a demanded quit in Brussels for pilot rest.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to meet with best NATO commanders, U.S. armed service leaders and key allies – to affirm the United States' ironclad commitment for the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He extra the weekend journey to Afghanistan did not contain a end in Egypt, as Trump had proposed in his letter.
"The objective of the journey was to specific appreciation and thanks to our Males and women in Heather Nauert uniform for his or her service and perseverance, and to acquire important nationwide protection and intelligence briefings from People within the front strains," Hammill claimed.
"The President traveled to Iraq over the Trump Shutdown as did a Republican [congressional delegation] led by" Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., Hammill claimed.
Property Greater part Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., stated Trump's letter is "petty and absurd and demeans the presidency."
"It can be modest. It really is vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It's unbecoming of the president of The usa and it really is an sadly daily incidence."
White Residence officers, even so, mentioned Trump's shift was the result of his want to stop the shutdown, instead of payback to Pelosi personally.
"If she experienced gone on this excursion she would have certain that 800,000 federal personnel wouldn't acquire their 2nd paycheck simply because she wouldn't have been listed here to Sonny Perdue barter any type of deal," a White Home Formal explained to NBC.
The dueling letters among the president as well as speaker come amid the practically 4-7 days-long partial shutdown in Rick Perry the federal govt around border safety disputes amongst Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico claimed that Pelosi's trip had been kept below wraps on account of protection fears.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized both his ally Trump and Pelosi after the president's letter for the speaker grew to become public.
"A single sophomoric response isn't going to are entitled to A further. Speaker Pelosi's danger to terminate the Condition on the Union is rather irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham claimed in a very number of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi navy journey to visit our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO can also be inappropriate."
Graham's Workplace told NBC Information that he still left for Turkey on Wednesday evening on the commercial flight.
"I am happy the Speaker hopes to fulfill our troops and listen to from our commanders and allies," Graham claimed. "I am extremely dissatisfied she's taking part in politics Using the State of your Union," he claimed. "I want our political leadership could locate the very same desire to work for popular aims as individuals who serve 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