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, significantly postponed Residence Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's planned abroad trip with other customers of Congress to visit U.S. troops in Afghanistan shortly ahead of they were scheduled to depart with a navy airplane Thursday.
The president's abrupt, public action came a day immediately after Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump within a letter to possibly reschedule his future State of your Union address into a joint session of Congress or produce it in writing.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited prospective protection concerns connected with the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other users to go to NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan more than the following various times.
Pelosi and several other other users of Congress were 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 Household Formal explained to NBC Information that every one congressional delegations abroad that could have made use of federally funded military plane are actually grounded by Trump until the shutdown finishes.
However, the White House is permitting Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and also other associates in the Trump administration to travel to the planet Financial Discussion board in Davos, Switzerland, following week.
"We're going to reschedule this 7-day tour if the Shutdown is about," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Definitely, if you want to to generate 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 public in a very tweet by White Property push secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, did not point out Pelosi's call for him to postpone the Condition from the Union handle, which the president has not if not commented on. But his letter was witnessed as being a retaliation for her recommendation.
A White Home Formal stated Trump "took speedy action" on Thursday just after Understanding Pelosi was intending to take the journey.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, in a series of tweets, wrote the congressional delegation's vacation to Afghanistan provided a demanded cease 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 America' ironclad commitment for the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He extra which the weekend trip to Afghanistan did not incorporate a stop in Egypt, as Trump had instructed in his letter.
"The goal of the trip was to express appreciation and because of our Adult men and girls in uniform for his or her service and commitment, and to get important countrywide stability and intelligence briefings from those around the front lines," Hammill mentioned.
"The President traveled to Iraq over the Trump Shutdown as did a Republican [congressional delegation] led by" Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., Hammill reported.
House Vast majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., stated Trump's letter is "petty and ridiculous and demeans the presidency."
"It is little. It really is vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It really is unbecoming in the president of The us and it's an sadly every day occurrence."
White Dwelling officers, on the other hand, explained Trump's transfer was the result of his want to conclusion the shutdown, and never payback to Pelosi personally.
"If she experienced absent on this trip she would've assured that 800,000 federal workers wouldn't obtain their second paycheck for the reason that she wouldn't have already been here to barter any type of offer," a White Household official explained to NBC.
The dueling letters amongst the president as well as the speaker occur amid the virtually four-week-long partial shutdown with the federal authorities around border safety disputes between Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico described that Pelosi's journey were stored underneath wraps as a result of stability considerations.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized both of those his ally Trump and Pelosi following the president's letter into the speaker became community.
"One sophomoric response won't should have A different. Speaker Pelosi's threat to cancel the Condition with the Union is very irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham explained in a series of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi navy journey to go to our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO is usually inappropriate."
Graham's Place of work instructed NBC Information that he still left for Turkey on Wednesday evening over a professional flight.
"I'm happy the Speaker hopes to meet our troops and hear from our commanders and allies," Graham said. "I am really unhappy she's participating in politics with the State from the Union," he stated. "I wish our political leadership could locate the same desire to work for common objectives as those that serve our country in uniform together Mike Pompeo with 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