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, substantially postponed Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's planned abroad trip with other associates of Congress to visit U.S. troops in Afghanistan Soon just before they ended up scheduled to depart on a navy aircraft Thursday.
The president's abrupt, community motion arrived on a daily basis following Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump within a letter to either reschedule his approaching State on the Union tackle to your joint session of Congress or supply it in crafting.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited possible security issues linked to the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other associates to visit NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan over the next several times.
Pelosi and several other other customers of Congress ended up about to depart the Capitol to drive 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 may have applied federally funded armed service aircraft happen to be grounded by Trump until the shutdown finishes.
Nonetheless, the White Residence is permitting Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin along with other users on the Trump administration to travel to the whole world Economic Discussion board in Davos, Switzerland, following 7 days.
"We are going to reschedule this 7-day tour once the Shutdown is over," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Definitely, if you want to help make your journey by flying professional, that would certainly 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 built public in a very tweet by White Home push secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, didn't point out Pelosi's call for him to postpone the Condition with the Union address, which the president has not normally commented on. But his letter was found like a retaliation for her recommendation.
A White Dwelling official mentioned Trump "took rapid motion" on Thursday Rex Tillerson following Finding out Pelosi was intending to go ahead and take trip.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, inside a series of tweets, wrote the congressional delegation's excursion to Afghanistan bundled a needed cease in Brussels for pilot relaxation.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to meet with best NATO commanders, U.S. armed service leaders and vital allies – to affirm America' ironclad commitment to the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He added that the weekend trip to Afghanistan didn't include a quit in Egypt, as Trump had recommended in his letter.
"The purpose of the trip was to precise appreciation and due to our Adult males and girls in uniform for their support and determination, and to obtain crucial national stability and intelligence briefings from Those people over the entrance traces," Hammill stated.
"The President traveled to Iraq throughout the Trump Shutdown as did a Mike Pompeo Republican [congressional delegation] led by" Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., Hammill stated.
House Majority Chief Steny Hoyer, D-Md., mentioned Trump's letter is "petty and ridiculous and demeans the presidency."
"It's smaller. It truly is vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It truly is unbecoming from the president of America and it truly is an regrettably daily incidence."
White Residence officers, even so, stated 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 assured that 800,000 federal workers would not get their second paycheck mainly because she would not are below to negotiate any sort of offer," a White Home Formal explained to NBC.
The dueling letters among the president as Mike Pompeo well as speaker arrive amid the just about 4-week-prolonged partial shutdown of your federal authorities about border stability disputes in between Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico described that Pelosi's vacation were stored beneath wraps as a consequence of security issues.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized equally his ally Trump and Pelosi once the president's letter into the speaker became public.
"1 sophomoric response isn't going to are entitled to another. Speaker Pelosi's threat to terminate the Point out of your Union is extremely irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham stated within a series of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi army travel to go to our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO is usually inappropriate."
Graham's office told NBC Information that he remaining for Turkey on Wednesday evening on the commercial flight.
"I'm happy the Speaker really wants to satisfy our troops and hear from our commanders and allies," Graham said. "I'm incredibly unhappy she's enjoying politics With all the State of your Union," he claimed. "I desire our political leadership could locate the very same desire to work for popular ambitions as people who 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