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, significantly postponed Residence Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's prepared abroad journey with other customers of Congress to go to U.S. troops in Afghanistan Soon prior to they ended up scheduled to depart with a military plane Thursday.
The president's abrupt, public action came per day immediately after Pelosi, D-Calif. urged Trump inside a letter to either reschedule his upcoming State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress or deliver it in writing.
Pelosi in her letter to Trump cited possible safety issues associated with the partial shutdown. She was scheduled with other members to visit NATO commanders in Brussels and troops in Afghanistan over another quite a few times.
Pelosi and a number of other other associates of Congress have been about to depart the Capitol to travel to Joint Foundation Andrews in Maryland to fly to Europe once the White Home announced the postponement.
A White Dwelling Formal advised NBC News that every one congressional delegations abroad that could have applied federally funded navy aircraft have been grounded by Trump right until the shutdown ends.
Nevertheless, the White House is letting Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and various customers from the Trump administration to vacation to the entire world Financial Forum in Davos, Switzerland, future week.
"We're going to reschedule this seven-working day tour once the Shutdown is around," Trump wrote in in his letter to Pelosi. "Naturally, if you would like to generate your journey by traveling industrial, that will surely 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 produced community in a tweet by White Property push secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, didn't mention Pelosi's call for him to postpone the Condition with the Union handle, which the president has not in any other case commented on. But his letter was found as being a retaliation for her suggestion.
A White Property Formal reported Trump "took instant action" on Thursday soon after Discovering Pelosi was planning to take the trip.
Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, within a number of tweets, wrote which the congressional delegation's vacation to Afghanistan included a necessary end in Brussels Linda McMahon for pilot relaxation.
"In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to satisfy with top rated NATO commanders, U.S. military services leaders and key allies – to affirm the United States' ironclad commitment for the NATO alliance," Hammill wrote.
He additional that the weekend trip to Afghanistan did not include a quit in Egypt, as Trump had suggested in his letter.
"The purpose of the vacation was to precise appreciation and because of our Gentlemen and ladies in uniform for their services and dedication, and to acquire significant nationwide safety and intelligence briefings from These around 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 Majority Chief Steny Hoyer, D-Md., mentioned Trump's letter is "petty and ridiculous and demeans the Alex Azar presidency."
"It is really smaller. It truly is vindictive," Hoyer fumed. "It really is unbecoming of the president of The usa and it really is an unfortunately day by day event."
White Dwelling officials, however, claimed 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 journey she would've guaranteed that 800,000 federal staff wouldn't obtain their next paycheck since she wouldn't have already been in this article to negotiate almost any offer," a White Home Formal explained to NBC.
The dueling letters amongst the president as well as speaker arrive amid the just about 4-week-extended partial shutdown with the federal government above 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 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 are entitled to A further. Speaker Pelosi's danger to terminate the Point out with the Union may be very irresponsible and blatantly political," Graham said in a number of tweets. "President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi military vacation to go to our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO can be inappropriate."
Graham's Office environment instructed NBC News that he left for Turkey on Wednesday night with a business flight.
"I am glad the Speaker would like to satisfy our troops and listen to from our commanders and allies," Graham stated. "I am really dissatisfied Elaine Chao she's playing politics Using the Point out with the Union," he explained. "I wish our political Management could discover the same want to operate for frequent objectives as individuals that provide our country 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