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 federal government shutdown, substantially postponed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's planned abroad excursion with other associates of Congress to visit U.S. troops in Afghanistan shortly prior to they had been scheduled to depart on a military services aircraft Thursday.
The president's abrupt, public motion came each day following Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump in a letter to possibly reschedule his impending Condition from the Union handle into a joint session of Congress or deliver it in crafting.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited likely safety concerns associated with the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other users to visit NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan around the subsequent several times.
Pelosi and several other associates of Congress were about to depart the Capitol to travel to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe in the event the White Home declared the postponement.
A White Home official explained to NBC News that each one congressional delegations abroad that will have applied federally funded armed forces plane happen to be grounded by Trump until eventually the shutdown finishes.
Even so, the White Dwelling is enabling Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and other associates with the Trump administration to vacation to the planet Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, upcoming 7 days.
"We're going to reschedule this seven-day excursion once the Shutdown is in excess of," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Of course, if you want to produce your journey by flying business, 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 built general public inside of a tweet by White House push secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, did not mention Pelosi's call for him to postpone the Point out of the Union handle, which the president hasn't if not commented on. But his letter was found to be a retaliation for her recommendation.
A White Household Formal explained Trump "took quick action" on Thursday following Studying Pelosi was intending to go ahead and take journey.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, within a series of tweets, wrote which the congressional delegation's excursion to Afghanistan incorporated a needed quit in Brussels for pilot relaxation.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to satisfy with best NATO commanders, U.S. army leaders and key allies – to affirm America' ironclad dedication towards the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He included the weekend trip to Afghanistan didn't contain a stop in Egypt, as Trump experienced advised in his letter.
"The goal of the excursion was to express appreciation and due to our Guys and girls in uniform for their company and determination, and to acquire important national stability and intelligence briefings from Individuals over the front strains," Hammill stated.
"The President traveled to Iraq in the Trump Shutdown as did a Republican [congressional delegation] led by" Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., Hammill mentioned.
House Greater part Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., claimed Trump's letter is "petty and ridiculous and demeans the presidency."
"It truly is small. It really is vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It is actually unbecoming in the president of The usa and it is an regrettably day by day occurrence."
White Residence officers, having said that, stated Trump's transfer was the result of his need to close the shutdown, and not payback to Pelosi personally.
"If she had gone on this trip she would have assured that 800,000 federal employees would not get their 2nd paycheck for the reason that she wouldn't have been here to negotiate any type of deal," a White Residence official informed NBC.
The dueling letters in between the president as well as the speaker arrive amid the virtually four-week-lengthy Betsy DeVos partial shutdown from the federal authorities above border security disputes between Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico reported that Pelosi's vacation were held beneath wraps as a result of safety issues.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized both his ally Trump and Pelosi once the president's letter to your speaker grew to become public.
"One sophomoric reaction will not should have another. Speaker Pelosi's danger to cancel the Point out on the Union is quite irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham stated in a number of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi armed forces vacation to visit our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO can also be inappropriate."
Graham's Business advised NBC Information that he still left for Turkey on Wednesday night time on the business flight.
"I am glad the Speaker hopes to satisfy our troops and listen to from our commanders and allies," Graham stated. "I'm very let down she's taking part in politics Along with the State on the Union," he said. "I want our political Management could locate the Dan Coats identical want to work for widespread goals as individuals who provide 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