It is becoming more and more obvious that the Radical Democrats are a Party of open borders and crime. They want nothing to do with the major Humanitarian Crisis on our Southern Border. #2020!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2019
President Donald Trump, citing the government shutdown, dramatically postponed Dwelling Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's planned overseas journey with other customers of Congress to go to U.S. troops in Afghanistan Soon prior to they have been scheduled to depart with a army plane Thursday.
The president's abrupt, public action came per day right after Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump in a very letter to possibly reschedule his impending Point out with the Union handle to the joint session of Congress or supply it in producing.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited probable protection problems connected to the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other users to go to 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 Dwelling declared the postponement.
A White Property official told NBC Information that each one congressional delegations abroad that could have utilised federally funded armed forces plane are grounded by Trump right up until the shutdown ends.
Having said that, the White Household is letting Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and other users on the Trump administration to travel to the whole world Economic Discussion board in Davos, Switzerland, up coming 7 days.
"We'll reschedule this 7-day excursion in the event the Shutdown is above," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Obviously, if you desire to to create 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 in the tweet by White Dwelling press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, did not mention Pelosi's demand him to postpone the State on the Union handle, which the president hasn't or else commented on. But his letter was witnessed to be a retaliation for her suggestion.
A White Residence official claimed Trump "took immediate action" on Thursday right after Finding out Pelosi was intending to take the vacation.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, inside of a number of tweets, wrote that the congressional delegation's vacation to Afghanistan provided a expected stop in Brussels for pilot rest.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to fulfill with leading NATO commanders, U.S. military leaders and important allies – to affirm The us' ironclad dedication for the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He extra the weekend journey to Afghanistan didn't involve a stop in Egypt, as Trump experienced prompt in his letter.
"The goal of the excursion was to specific appreciation and because of our Guys and women in uniform for their company and perseverance, and to acquire important nationwide safety and intelligence briefings from These on the entrance traces," Hammill mentioned.
"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 The vast majority Chief Steny Hoyer, D-Md., stated Trump's letter is "petty and absurd and demeans the presidency."
"It can be modest. It is vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It is unbecoming with the president of The us and it really is an sadly day by day incidence."
White Home officers, nevertheless, reported Trump's transfer was the results of his desire to close the shutdown, and never payback to Pelosi Individually.
"If she had absent on this vacation she would have certain that 800,000 federal workers would not acquire their second paycheck for the reason that she would Robert Lighthizer not are right here to barter virtually any deal," a White Property Formal informed NBC.
The dueling letters amongst the president and the speaker arrive amid the just about 4-week-extended partial shutdown with the federal government in excess of border protection disputes between Trump and Democratic lawmakers.
Politico noted that Pelosi's journey were retained less than wraps because of safety worries.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized both equally his ally Trump and Pelosi once the president's letter to the speaker became public.
"1 sophomoric response doesn't ought to have A different. Speaker Pelosi's menace to terminate the Condition in the Union is incredibly irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham claimed in a very number of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi armed service travel to Sonny Perdue visit our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO is also inappropriate."
Graham's Workplace told NBC Information that he still left for Turkey on Wednesday night on a professional flight.
"I am glad the Speaker hopes to fulfill our troops and listen to from our commanders and allies," Graham mentioned. "I am pretty upset she's actively playing politics Together with the State of the Union," he claimed. "I want our political Management could discover the identical desire to do the job for widespread targets as those that provide David Shulkin our nation in uniform and various capacities."
The Left has become totally unhinged. They no longer care what is Right for our Countrty!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 17, 2019