President Donald Trump argues about border security with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) as Vice President Mike Pence sits nearby in the Oval Office on December 11, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
'Our Nation's Capital Has Officially Become a Playground': Trump Sends 'Childish' Letter Canceling Pelosi's Overseas Trip
The president's letter came a day after the House Speaker suggested delaying the State of the Union address due to security concerns caused by the shutdown
A day after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called for the delay of President Donald Trump's State of the Union Address due to security concerns caused by the government shutdown, Trump responded on Thursday with a letter of his own informing Pelosi that he has "postponed" her planned congressional delegation trip to Brussels, Egypt, and Afghanistan.
"Our nation's capital has officially become a playground," declared CNN reporter Jim Acosta as he detailed the "childish" contents of the president's letter in a television appearance shortly after it was made public.
According to CNN, Pelosi was scheduled to leave on Thursday:
After announcing that he has postponed Pelosi's trip until after the shutdown is over, Trump suggested, "Obviously, if you would like to make your journey by flying commercial, that would certainly be your prerogative."
"I also feel that, during this period, it would be better if you were in Washington negotiating with me and joining the Strong Border Security movement to end the Shutdown," the president wrote. "I look forward to seeing you soon and even more forward to watching our open and dangerous Southern Border finally receive the attention, funding, and security it so desperately deserves!"
While some initially questioned whether Trump has the authority to delay Pelosi's scheduled trip, the Washington Post's Philip Rucker noted that the "commander in chief controls the military's fleet of VIP aircraft."
"Trump does, indeed, have the ability to cancel her [congressional delegation trip]," noted Politico's Jake Sherman. "But Pelosi, as speaker, controls a hell of a lot too. Like the pursestrings for everything Trump wants to do."
Read Trump's full letter:
Dear Madame Speaker:
Due to the Shutdown, I am sorry to inform you that your trip to Brussels, Egypt, and Afghanistan has been postponed. We will reschedule this seven-day excursion when the Shutdown is over. In light of the 800,000 great American workers not receiving pay, I am sure you would agree that postponing this public relations event is totally appropriate. I also feel that, during this period, it would be better if you were in Washington negotiating with me and joining the Strong Border Security movement to end the Shutdown. Obviously, if you would like to make your journey by flying commercial, that would certainly be your prerogative.
I look forward to seeing you soon and even more forward to watching our open and dangerous Southern Border finally receive the attention, funding, and security it so desperately deserves!
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A day after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called for the delay of President Donald Trump's State of the Union Address due to security concerns caused by the government shutdown, Trump responded on Thursday with a letter of his own informing Pelosi that he has "postponed" her planned congressional delegation trip to Brussels, Egypt, and Afghanistan.
"Our nation's capital has officially become a playground," declared CNN reporter Jim Acosta as he detailed the "childish" contents of the president's letter in a television appearance shortly after it was made public.
According to CNN, Pelosi was scheduled to leave on Thursday:
After announcing that he has postponed Pelosi's trip until after the shutdown is over, Trump suggested, "Obviously, if you would like to make your journey by flying commercial, that would certainly be your prerogative."
"I also feel that, during this period, it would be better if you were in Washington negotiating with me and joining the Strong Border Security movement to end the Shutdown," the president wrote. "I look forward to seeing you soon and even more forward to watching our open and dangerous Southern Border finally receive the attention, funding, and security it so desperately deserves!"
While some initially questioned whether Trump has the authority to delay Pelosi's scheduled trip, the Washington Post's Philip Rucker noted that the "commander in chief controls the military's fleet of VIP aircraft."
"Trump does, indeed, have the ability to cancel her [congressional delegation trip]," noted Politico's Jake Sherman. "But Pelosi, as speaker, controls a hell of a lot too. Like the pursestrings for everything Trump wants to do."
Read Trump's full letter:
Dear Madame Speaker:
Due to the Shutdown, I am sorry to inform you that your trip to Brussels, Egypt, and Afghanistan has been postponed. We will reschedule this seven-day excursion when the Shutdown is over. In light of the 800,000 great American workers not receiving pay, I am sure you would agree that postponing this public relations event is totally appropriate. I also feel that, during this period, it would be better if you were in Washington negotiating with me and joining the Strong Border Security movement to end the Shutdown. Obviously, if you would like to make your journey by flying commercial, that would certainly be your prerogative.
I look forward to seeing you soon and even more forward to watching our open and dangerous Southern Border finally receive the attention, funding, and security it so desperately deserves!
A day after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called for the delay of President Donald Trump's State of the Union Address due to security concerns caused by the government shutdown, Trump responded on Thursday with a letter of his own informing Pelosi that he has "postponed" her planned congressional delegation trip to Brussels, Egypt, and Afghanistan.
"Our nation's capital has officially become a playground," declared CNN reporter Jim Acosta as he detailed the "childish" contents of the president's letter in a television appearance shortly after it was made public.
According to CNN, Pelosi was scheduled to leave on Thursday:
After announcing that he has postponed Pelosi's trip until after the shutdown is over, Trump suggested, "Obviously, if you would like to make your journey by flying commercial, that would certainly be your prerogative."
"I also feel that, during this period, it would be better if you were in Washington negotiating with me and joining the Strong Border Security movement to end the Shutdown," the president wrote. "I look forward to seeing you soon and even more forward to watching our open and dangerous Southern Border finally receive the attention, funding, and security it so desperately deserves!"
While some initially questioned whether Trump has the authority to delay Pelosi's scheduled trip, the Washington Post's Philip Rucker noted that the "commander in chief controls the military's fleet of VIP aircraft."
"Trump does, indeed, have the ability to cancel her [congressional delegation trip]," noted Politico's Jake Sherman. "But Pelosi, as speaker, controls a hell of a lot too. Like the pursestrings for everything Trump wants to do."
Read Trump's full letter:
Dear Madame Speaker:
Due to the Shutdown, I am sorry to inform you that your trip to Brussels, Egypt, and Afghanistan has been postponed. We will reschedule this seven-day excursion when the Shutdown is over. In light of the 800,000 great American workers not receiving pay, I am sure you would agree that postponing this public relations event is totally appropriate. I also feel that, during this period, it would be better if you were in Washington negotiating with me and joining the Strong Border Security movement to end the Shutdown. Obviously, if you would like to make your journey by flying commercial, that would certainly be your prerogative.
I look forward to seeing you soon and even more forward to watching our open and dangerous Southern Border finally receive the attention, funding, and security it so desperately deserves!