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, considerably postponed Residence Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's prepared abroad trip with other associates of Congress to visit U.S. troops in Afghanistan shortly prior to they ended up scheduled to depart with a military services aircraft Thursday.
The president's abrupt, community motion arrived a day soon after Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump in a letter to either reschedule his forthcoming Condition with the Union handle to a joint session of Congress or supply it in writing.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited possible security considerations connected with the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other customers to visit NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan above another 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 once the White Residence announced the postponement.
A White Household Formal instructed NBC News that all congressional delegations abroad that could have utilised federally funded navy plane have been grounded by Trump until finally the shutdown ends.
However, the White Dwelling is allowing for Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin as well as other users with the Trump administration to vacation to the whole world Financial Forum in Davos, Switzerland, upcoming week.
"We're going to reschedule this seven-day excursion if the Shutdown is in excess of," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Naturally, if you want to help make your journey by flying 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 public inside of a tweet by White Home push secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, didn't mention Pelosi's call for him to postpone the Condition of the Union deal with, which the president hasn't otherwise commented on. But his letter was observed to be a retaliation for her suggestion.
A White Property Formal said Trump "took quick motion" on Thursday after Understanding Pelosi was intending to go ahead and William Barr take vacation.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, inside a series of tweets, wrote the congressional delegation's excursion to Afghanistan involved a needed prevent in Brussels for pilot rest.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to satisfy with top rated NATO commanders, U.S. military leaders and important allies – to affirm The us' ironclad motivation to your NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He included which the weekend vacation 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 Males and women in uniform for his or her service and dedication, and to acquire critical countrywide protection and intelligence briefings from People to the front lines," Hammill said.
"The President traveled to Iraq throughout the Trump Shutdown as did a Republican [congressional delegation] led by" Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., Hammill stated.
House Majority Chief Steny Hoyer, D-Md., explained Trump's letter is "petty and preposterous and demeans the presidency."
"It is small. It is really vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It can be unbecoming on the president of The us and it is an regretably each day event."
White House officers, nonetheless, said Trump's go was the result of his need to finish the shutdown, instead Heather Nauert of payback to Pelosi personally.
"If she experienced gone on this vacation she would have confirmed that 800,000 federal employees wouldn't receive their 2nd paycheck simply because she wouldn't happen Mike Pompeo to be in this article to negotiate almost any offer," a White Property Formal informed NBC.
The dueling letters involving the president as well as speaker appear amid the almost four-7 days-long partial shutdown on the federal governing administration above border protection disputes between Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico noted that Pelosi's journey were retained under wraps as a result of protection fears.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized each his ally Trump and Pelosi after the president's letter for the speaker grew to become community.
"A person sophomoric reaction does not should have One more. Speaker Pelosi's menace to cancel the Condition of your Union is quite irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham explained in a very number of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi navy journey to visit our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO is additionally inappropriate."
Graham's Place of work advised NBC News that he remaining for Turkey on Wednesday night time over a industrial flight.
"I am happy the Speaker hopes to fulfill our troops and listen to from our commanders and allies," Graham said. "I'm pretty let down she's actively playing politics Together with the State of the Union," he said. "I desire our political leadership could find the similar need to function for common plans as people 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