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 Residence Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's prepared overseas journey with other members of Congress to go to U.S. troops in Afghanistan Soon in advance of they had been scheduled to depart with a armed forces aircraft Thursday.
The president's abrupt, general public motion came daily right after Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump inside of a letter to either reschedule his forthcoming Condition of the Union deal with to your joint session of Congress or produce it in writing.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited likely stability concerns connected with the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other users to go to NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan over the following numerous days.
Pelosi and a number of other other customers of Congress ended up going to depart the Capitol to push to Joint Foundation Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe in the event the White House announced the postponement.
A White Home Formal explained to NBC Information that all congressional delegations abroad that may have made use of federally funded army aircraft happen to be grounded by Trump until finally the shutdown ends.
Nonetheless, the White Residence is making it possible for Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and other users of your Trump administration to vacation to the earth Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, next 7 days.
"We'll reschedule this seven-working day excursion once the Shutdown is over," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Obviously, if you prefer to for making your journey by flying professional, 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 created public in a very tweet by White Property push secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, did not point out Pelosi's call for him to postpone the Point out in the Union address, which the president has not otherwise commented on. But his letter was viewed like a retaliation for her recommendation.
A White Home Formal said Trump "took rapid action" on Thursday soon after Studying Pelosi was intending to go ahead and take trip.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, in a very series of tweets, wrote the congressional delegation's vacation to Afghanistan incorporated a demanded prevent in Brussels for pilot rest.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to satisfy with major NATO commanders, U.S. armed forces leaders and vital Alex Azar allies – to affirm the United States' ironclad dedication into the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He added that the weekend journey to Afghanistan didn't involve a quit in Egypt, as Trump had instructed in his letter.
"The goal of the trip was to express appreciation and because of our Adult men and girls in uniform for his or her service and commitment, and to get essential countrywide stability and intelligence briefings from those around the front lines," Hammill stated.
"The President traveled to Iraq in the course of the Trump Shutdown as did a Republican [congressional delegation] led by" Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., Hammill claimed.
Dwelling Majority Chief Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said Trump's letter is "petty and absurd and demeans the presidency."
"It's little. It is vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It really is unbecoming in the president of The us and it's an sadly every day occurrence."
White House officers, on the other hand, explained Trump's transfer was the result of his want to conclude the shutdown, and never payback to Pelosi personally.
"If she experienced gone on this vacation she might have assured that 800,000 federal personnel wouldn't receive their next paycheck mainly because she would not are actually below to negotiate any kind of offer," a White Household 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 of your federal federal government more than border protection disputes in between Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico claimed that Pelosi's journey were kept beneath wraps because of protection issues.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized both of those his ally Trump and Pelosi after the president's letter on the speaker turned public.
"One particular sophomoric reaction will not are entitled to An additional. Speaker Pelosi's risk to terminate the Point out of the Union is incredibly irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham reported inside a series of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi armed service vacation to go to our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO is also inappropriate."
Graham's Place of work instructed NBC Information that he remaining for Turkey on Wednesday night time with a commercial flight.
"I am happy the Speaker desires to satisfy our troops and hear from our commanders and allies," Graham mentioned. "I am quite let down she's participating in politics Using the State from the Union," he mentioned. "I want our political leadership could find the exact same desire to function for typical targets as people who serve our country 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