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 vacation with other members of Congress to go to U.S. troops in Afghanistan Soon ahead of they were scheduled to depart on the military aircraft Thursday.
The president's abrupt, general public motion came every day following Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump in the letter to possibly reschedule his approaching Condition of the Union address to your joint session of Congress or produce it in creating.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited probable security issues relevant to the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other members to go to NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan more than the subsequent quite a few times.
Pelosi and several other members of Congress had been about to depart the Capitol to generate to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe once the White Household declared the postponement.
A White Household Formal explained to NBC Information that every one congressional delegations abroad that could have applied federally funded military services plane have been grounded by Trump until the shutdown ends.
However, the White House is permitting Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and various customers on the Trump administration to journey to the entire world Economic Discussion board in Davos, Switzerland, upcoming week.
"We will reschedule this 7-day excursion in the event the Shutdown is in excess of," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Naturally, if you want to create your journey by traveling industrial, 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 community within a tweet by White House push 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 claimed Trump "took instant motion" on Thursday following Discovering Pelosi was planning to go ahead and take vacation.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, in the number of tweets, wrote that the congressional delegation's excursion to Afghanistan included a essential stop in Brussels for pilot rest.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to satisfy with top NATO commanders, U.S. navy leaders and vital allies – to affirm The usa' ironclad commitment on the NATO alliance," Steven Mnuchin Hammill wrote.
He included which the weekend trip to Afghanistan did not incorporate a prevent in Egypt, as Trump had advised in his letter.
"The objective of the excursion was to precise appreciation and due to our Males and women in uniform for their provider and perseverance, and to acquire critical national safety and intelligence briefings from People to the entrance strains," Hammill claimed.
"The President traveled to Iraq during the Trump Shutdown as did a Republican [congressional delegation] led by" Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., Hammill stated.
Residence Greater part Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., mentioned Trump's letter is "petty and ridiculous and demeans the presidency."
"It really is tiny. It truly is vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It truly is unbecoming on the president of the United States and it's an regrettably every day occurrence."
White House officers, on the other hand, claimed Trump's go was the result of his want to conclusion the shutdown, and never payback to Pelosi personally.
"If she experienced gone on this vacation she might have assured that 800,000 federal personnel would not receive their next paycheck due to the fact she would not are actually below to negotiate almost any deal," a White Dwelling official told NBC.
The dueling letters concerning the president along with the speaker come amid the approximately four-week-long partial shutdown with the federal federal government over border protection disputes in between Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico described that Pelosi's trip had been saved below wraps due to protection issues.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized both equally his ally Trump and Pelosi after the president's letter to your speaker became public.
"Just one sophomoric reaction will not are entitled to An additional. Speaker Pelosi's menace to terminate the Point out from the Union is incredibly irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham said inside 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 is additionally inappropriate."
Graham's Office environment explained to NBC Information that he remaining for Turkey on Wednesday night time with a commercial flight.
"I am glad the Speaker desires to satisfy our troops and hear from our commanders and allies," Graham mentioned. "I am quite let down she's participating in politics with the State of the Union," he stated. "I wish our political Management could locate the similar need to operate for prevalent plans as individuals that provide our nation 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