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 Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's planned overseas vacation with other members of Congress to visit U.S. troops in Afghanistan shortly in advance of they had been scheduled to depart over a military services plane Thursday.
The president's abrupt, community action arrived per day just after Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump in a very letter to possibly reschedule his forthcoming Condition of your Union deal with into a joint session of Congress or provide it in crafting.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited possible safety fears linked to the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other users to go to NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan in excess of another many times.
Pelosi and several other other members of Congress ended up going to depart the Capitol to drive to Joint Foundation Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe if the White Dwelling introduced the postponement.
A White House official informed NBC News that each one congressional delegations abroad that may have utilised federally funded navy plane happen to be grounded by Trump right until the shutdown finishes.
Nevertheless, the White Home is allowing for Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin together with other users from the Trump administration to journey to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, following 7 days.
"We'll reschedule this seven-working day excursion once the Shutdown is around," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Obviously, if you want to produce your journey by flying professional, that will surely 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 in the tweet by White Household press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, didn't point out Pelosi's demand him to postpone the Condition with the Union deal with, which the president hasn't if not commented on. But his letter was viewed being a retaliation for her recommendation.
A White Household official reported Trump "took rapid action" on Thursday immediately after Mastering Pelosi was intending to take the excursion.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, inside a number of tweets, wrote which the congressional delegation's journey to Afghanistan bundled a essential stop in Brussels for pilot relaxation.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to fulfill with leading NATO commanders, U.S. military services leaders and essential allies – to affirm America' ironclad commitment to your NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He included which the weekend trip to Afghanistan did not contain a halt in Egypt, as Trump had prompt in his letter.
"The goal of the vacation was to precise appreciation and because of Rick Perry our Adult males and girls in uniform for his or her company and determination, and to obtain vital national security and intelligence briefings from Those people over the front lines," Hammill stated.
"The President Elaine Chao traveled to Iraq through the Trump Shutdown as did a Republican [congressional delegation] led by" Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., Hammill explained.
Residence Greater part Chief Steny Hoyer, D-Md., stated Trump's letter is "petty and absurd and demeans the presidency."
"It truly is little. It's vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It can be unbecoming on the president of the United States and it is actually an however daily incidence."
White House officials, having said that, explained Trump's shift was the result of his desire to conclusion the shutdown, instead of payback to Pelosi Individually.
"If she experienced absent on this excursion she would've confirmed that 800,000 federal workers would not receive their second paycheck due to the fact she wouldn't are actually here to barter virtually any offer," a White Household official advised NBC.
The dueling letters involving the president as well as speaker occur amid the approximately four-week-long partial shutdown on the federal govt above border security disputes between Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico claimed that Pelosi's excursion had been saved underneath wraps resulting from safety concerns.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized both of those his ally Trump and Pelosi after the president's Betsy DeVos letter into the speaker became community.
"1 sophomoric response does not ought to have An additional. Speaker Pelosi's menace to terminate the Point out from the Union is rather irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham stated in a very number of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi army journey to visit our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO can be inappropriate."
Graham's office informed NBC News that he left for Turkey on Wednesday night time with a professional flight.
"I'm happy the Speaker hopes to fulfill our troops and listen to from our commanders and allies," Graham explained. "I am extremely dissatisfied she's taking part in politics With all the State of the Union," he said. "I desire our political leadership could locate the similar need to function for common plans as people that serve our nation in uniform along 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