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, substantially postponed Residence Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's prepared overseas excursion with other members of Congress to go to U.S. troops in Afghanistan Soon in advance of they had been scheduled to depart over a military plane Thursday.
The president's abrupt, community motion came per day after Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump inside of a letter to either reschedule his impending State in the Union tackle to a joint session of Congress or provide it in producing.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited potential safety fears associated with the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other associates to visit NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan about another quite a few days.
Pelosi and several other associates of Congress have been about to depart the Capitol to generate to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe once the White Residence introduced the postponement.
A White Residence official advised NBC Information that each one congressional delegations overseas that might have utilised federally funded armed service plane are grounded by Trump right until the shutdown finishes.
Having said that, the White Dwelling is allowing Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin along with other associates from the Trump administration to vacation to the whole world Financial Forum in Davos, Switzerland, next 7 days.
"We are going to reschedule this seven-working day tour when the Shutdown is over," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Of course, if you desire to to help make your journey by traveling business, 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 made general public within a tweet by White Home 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 reported Trump "took fast motion" on Thursday soon after Studying Pelosi was intending to go ahead and take journey.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, in a very series of tweets, wrote that the congressional delegation's excursion to Afghanistan integrated a expected quit in Brussels for pilot rest.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to fulfill with leading NATO commanders, U.S. armed service leaders and important allies – to affirm The us' ironclad motivation to the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He additional the weekend vacation to Afghanistan didn't consist of a end in Egypt, as Trump experienced suggested in his letter.
"The purpose of the journey was to specific appreciation and because of our Adult men and girls in uniform for his or her service and commitment, and to get essential nationwide stability and intelligence briefings from those around the front traces," Hammill explained.
"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.
House Bulk Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., mentioned Trump's letter is "petty and ridiculous and demeans the presidency."
"It really is tiny. It really is vindictive," Jeff Sessions Hoyer fumed. "It really is unbecoming in the president of The us and it's an sadly daily occurrence."
White Dwelling officers, even so, mentioned Trump's move was the results of his need to stop the shutdown, and not payback to Pelosi Individually.
"If she had gone on this excursion she might have guaranteed that 800,000 federal personnel would not receive their 2nd paycheck due to the fact she wouldn't are actually below to negotiate virtually any deal," a White House Formal informed NBC.
The dueling letters concerning the president plus the speaker arrive amid the approximately four-7 days-extended partial shutdown of your federal govt more than border protection disputes among Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico claimed that Pelosi's journey were kept underneath wraps because of protection concerns.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized both equally his ally Trump and Pelosi once the president's letter for the speaker grew to become general public.
"1 sophomoric reaction does not ought to have another. Speaker Pelosi's risk to cancel the Condition of your Union is extremely irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham explained in the number of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi armed forces journey to visit our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO is usually inappropriate."
Graham's Workplace advised 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 reported. "I'm incredibly upset she's playing politics Using the State from the Union," he mentioned. "I want our political leadership could find the similar want to get the job done for 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