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, significantly postponed Dwelling Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's planned overseas excursion with other users of Congress to go to U.S. troops in Afghanistan Soon just before they were being scheduled to depart on a armed forces aircraft Thursday.
The president's abrupt, general public motion arrived on a daily basis soon after Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump in a very letter to possibly reschedule his upcoming State in the Union deal with to your joint session of Congress or supply it in crafting.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited potential security concerns linked to the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other customers to go to NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan in excess of the subsequent numerous days.
Pelosi and several other members of Congress were going to depart the Capitol to push to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe when the White Home announced the postponement.
A White Dwelling Formal advised NBC News that every one congressional delegations overseas that might have utilized federally funded army plane are grounded by Trump right up until the shutdown ends.
However, the White Dwelling is letting Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin together with other associates of the Trump administration to vacation to the entire world Financial Forum in Davos, Switzerland, next 7 days.
"We will reschedule this seven-working day excursion if the Shutdown is above," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Of course, if you want to to make your journey by traveling professional, 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 built community within a tweet by White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, did not point out Pelosi's demand him to postpone the State in the Union handle, which the president hasn't in any other case commented on. But his letter was found as being a retaliation for her suggestion.
A White Household Formal mentioned Trump "took rapid motion" on Thursday following Finding out Pelosi was intending to go ahead and take vacation.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, inside a series of tweets, wrote the congressional delegation's excursion to Afghanistan bundled a required cease in Brussels for pilot rest.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to satisfy with prime NATO commanders, U.S. armed service leaders and vital allies – to affirm the United States' ironclad commitment towards the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He additional that the weekend trip to Afghanistan did not include a quit in Egypt, as Trump had recommended in his letter.
"The purpose of the trip was to express appreciation and due to our Adult males and girls in uniform for their support and determination, and to get vital national security and intelligence briefings from Those people over the front strains," Hammill reported.
"The President traveled to Robert Lighthizer Iraq in 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 can be modest. It really is vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It's unbecoming of your president of The usa and it truly is an sadly daily incidence."
White Home officers, nonetheless, said Trump's go was the result of his need to end the shutdown, rather than payback to Pelosi personally.
"If she had long gone on this journey she would've guaranteed that 800,000 federal staff would not obtain their next paycheck since she wouldn't happen to be in this article to negotiate almost any offer," a White Residence Formal explained to NBC.
The kohlenhydrate diät dueling letters among the president as well as speaker arrive amid the just about 4-week-very long partial shutdown from the federal govt over border safety disputes amongst Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico claimed that Pelosi's trip had been held underneath wraps due to safety issues.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized equally his ally Trump and Pelosi following the president's letter to your speaker turned general public.
"Just one sophomoric response won't are entitled to Yet another. Speaker Pelosi's menace to terminate the Condition on the Union may be very irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham said in 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 Business told NBC Information that he still left for Turkey on Wednesday evening on a commercial flight.
"I'm lauchsuppe happy the Speaker really wants to satisfy our troops and hear from our commanders and allies," Graham said. "I'm incredibly let down she's enjoying politics Together with the State of the Union," he reported. "I desire our political leadership could locate the similar need to function for common plans as individuals who serve our country 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