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 Dwelling Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's planned abroad vacation with other members of Congress to visit U.S. troops in Afghanistan shortly just before they ended up scheduled to depart with a army aircraft Thursday.
The president's abrupt, community motion arrived on a daily basis soon after Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump in a letter to either reschedule his approaching Condition on the Union tackle to your joint session of Congress or produce it in crafting.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited potential security issues linked to the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other associates to visit NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan above the following numerous days.
Pelosi and several other members of Congress were being going to depart the Capitol to push to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe when the White Home declared the postponement.
A White Household official informed NBC News that every one congressional delegations overseas that will have utilized federally funded army plane are grounded by Trump until the shutdown finishes.
On the other hand, the White Property is making it possible for Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin together with other members of your Trump administration to journey to the planet Financial Forum in Davos, Switzerland, upcoming week.
"We're going to reschedule this seven-working day excursion if the Shutdown is above," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Obviously, if you desire to to create your journey by traveling commercial, 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 produced community inside a tweet by White Household push secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, did not mention Pelosi's demand him to postpone the Point out in the Union tackle, which the president hasn't in any other case commented on. But his letter was viewed as being a retaliation for her suggestion.
A White Household Formal stated Trump "took rapid motion" on Thursday following Mastering 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 end in Brussels for pilot relaxation.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to fulfill with top NATO commanders, U.S. armed forces leaders and essential allies – to affirm The usa' ironclad determination to the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He added which 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 express appreciation and thanks to our men and girls in uniform for his or her assistance and perseverance, and to acquire important nationwide safety and intelligence briefings from Individuals 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., said Trump's letter is "petty and absurd and demeans the presidency."
"It truly is modest. It really is vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It's unbecoming of your president of The usa and it really is an sadly day by day incidence."
White Residence officers, even so, stated Trump's shift was the low carb diätplan result of his want to stop the shutdown, instead of payback to Pelosi personally.
"If she experienced gone on this trip she would've guaranteed that 800,000 federal staff wouldn't obtain their next paycheck since she wouldn't have already been in this article to negotiate almost any deal," a White Property Formal informed NBC.
The dueling letters involving the president and also the speaker appear amid the approximately four-week-very long partial shutdown from the federal govt over border safety disputes Mike Pompeo involving Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico reported that Pelosi's journey had been held less than wraps because of safety problems.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized both his ally Trump and Pelosi after the president's letter for the speaker grew to become community.
"A person sophomoric reaction does not are worthy of One more. Speaker Pelosi's menace to terminate the Condition on the Union is rather irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham reported inside of a number of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi military vacation to go to our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO is usually inappropriate."
Graham's office explained to NBC Information that he still left for Turkey on Wednesday evening on a commercial flight.
"I'm happy the Speaker really wants to satisfy our troops and hear from our commanders and allies," Graham said. "I'm quite unhappy Ryan Zinke she's enjoying politics with the Condition on the Union," he explained. "I desire our political leadership could find the same want to operate for frequent objectives as those who provide our nation in uniform and 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