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 Property Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's planned abroad journey with other users of Congress to visit U.S. troops in Afghanistan Soon just before they were being scheduled to depart on the military aircraft Thursday.
The president's abrupt, general public action came daily right after Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump in a letter to either reschedule his impending Point out from the Union tackle to your joint session of Congress or produce it in creating.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited probable stability issues relevant to the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other users to go to NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan over the following various times.
Pelosi and a number of other other users of Congress were going to depart the Capitol to travel to Joint Foundation Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe in the event the White Dwelling declared the postponement.
A White House official told NBC News that all congressional delegations abroad that may have used federally funded army aircraft have been grounded by Trump till the shutdown ends.
Nevertheless, the White Dwelling is allowing Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and various users with the Trump administration to journey to the globe Economic Discussion board in Davos, Switzerland, future 7 days.
"We'll reschedule this 7-working day excursion when the Shutdown is around," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Definitely, if you want to to produce your journey by flying business, 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 general public within a tweet by White House push secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, did not mention Pelosi's demand him to postpone the State of your Union tackle, which the president hasn't normally commented on. But his letter was seen for a retaliation for her suggestion.
A White Household official claimed Trump "took instant motion" on Thursday following Mastering Pelosi was planning to take the vacation.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, within a number of tweets, wrote which the congressional delegation's journey to Afghanistan bundled a ketogene ernährung plan necessary halt in Brussels for pilot rest.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to meet with top rated NATO commanders, U.S. army leaders and essential allies – to affirm America' ironclad commitment on the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He included which the weekend trip to Afghanistan didn't consist of a end in Egypt, as Trump had proposed in his letter.
"The goal of the vacation was to precise appreciation and thanks to our Guys and ladies in uniform for their assistance and perseverance, and to acquire crucial national safety and intelligence briefings from People to the entrance traces," Hammill reported.
"The President traveled to Iraq during the Trump Shutdown as did a Republican [congressional delegation] led by" Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., Hammill said.
Home Bulk Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., stated Trump's letter is "petty and ridiculous and demeans the presidency."
"It's little. It is vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It's unbecoming from the president of America and it is an unfortunately daily prevalence."
White Household officials, nonetheless, mentioned Trump's move was the results of his need to stop the shutdown, and not payback to Pelosi Individually.
"If she had long gone on this excursion she would have confirmed that 800,000 federal staff would not get their 2nd paycheck simply because she wouldn't are already right here to barter almost any deal," a White Dwelling official explained to NBC.
The dueling letters involving the president as well as the speaker come amid the just about four-7 days-lengthy partial shutdown with the federal federal government in excess of border security disputes amongst Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico reported that Pelosi's journey were held below wraps as a consequence of safety fears.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized each his ally Trump and Pelosi following the president's letter to the speaker grew to become 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 mentioned inside of a number of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi military travel to visit our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO can be inappropriate."
Graham's Business told NBC News that he left for Turkey on Wednesday night on a commercial flight.
"I am happy the Speaker wants to meet our troops and hear from our commanders and allies," Graham mentioned. "I am really unhappy she's actively playing politics While using the Point out with the Union," he reported. "I would like our political Management could locate the very same need to operate for widespread ambitions as individuals who serve 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