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, drastically postponed Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's prepared abroad vacation with other users of Congress to go to U.S. troops in Afghanistan Soon ahead of they were scheduled to depart over a military services plane Thursday.
The president's abrupt, public action came every day just after Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump inside a letter to both reschedule his approaching Condition on the Union tackle to a joint session of Congress or deliver it in writing.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited prospective safety considerations relevant to the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other customers to visit NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan in excess of the subsequent many days.
Pelosi and several other users of Congress were being going to depart the Capitol to push to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe when the White House declared the postponement.
A White Property official told NBC Information that each one congressional delegations overseas that could have applied federally funded navy aircraft have been grounded by Trump right until the shutdown finishes.
Nonetheless, the White House is allowing for Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin as well as 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 tour once the Shutdown is over," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Definitely, if you want for making your journey by flying business, 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 manufactured general public within a tweet by White Dwelling press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, did not mention Pelosi's demand him to postpone the Point out of the Union deal with, which the president hasn't otherwise commented on. But his letter was observed for a retaliation for her recommendation.
A White Home official claimed Trump "took immediate action" on Thursday right after Mastering 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 involved a required quit in Brussels for pilot rest.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to meet with best NATO commanders, U.S. navy leaders and critical allies – to affirm America' ironclad commitment for the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He additional that the weekend journey to Afghanistan did not consist of a quit in Egypt, as Trump had recommended in his letter.
"The purpose of the trip was to precise appreciation and due to our Adult men and ladies in uniform for their services and commitment, and to obtain significant countrywide protection and intelligence briefings from People about 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 Bulk Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., claimed Trump's letter is "petty and preposterous and demeans the presidency."
"It is small. It is really vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It can be unbecoming in Jeff Sessions the president of the United States and it is actually an however everyday prevalence."
White Property officials, on the other hand, mentioned Trump's move was the result of his want to stop the shutdown, instead of payback to Pelosi personally.
"If she experienced gone on this excursion she would have certain that 800,000 federal personnel would not get their second paycheck due to the fact she wouldn't are right here to barter any kind of deal," a White Household Formal instructed NBC.
The dueling letters concerning the president along with the speaker occur amid the practically four-7 days-long partial shutdown in the federal governing administration more than border protection disputes involving Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico reported that Pelosi's journey had been held underneath wraps due to safety Nikki Haley worries.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized both of those his ally Trump and Pelosi once the president's letter to the speaker became public.
"A single sophomoric response isn't going to have earned another. Speaker Pelosi's threat to terminate the Point out of your Union is very irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham stated within a series of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi army travel to go to our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO is usually inappropriate."
Graham's office told NBC Information that he still left for Turkey on Wednesday evening on a commercial flight.
"I'm glad the Speaker wishes to meet our troops and listen to from our commanders and allies," Graham claimed. "I am extremely disappointed she's playing politics While using the Condition in the Union," he stated. "I wish our political Management could find the Mick Mulvaney identical desire to do the job for prevalent ambitions as people who provide our nation in uniform as well as 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