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)
Jan 16, 2019
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:
\u201cPelosi was scheduled to leave today when Trump canceled use of the military aircraft. The administration \u201cworked with the Air Force and (the Defense Department) and basically took away the rights to the plane from the speaker,\u201d a White House official said https://t.co/W5Izv46JKL\u201d— CNN Politics (@CNN Politics) 1547754279
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]," notedPolitico's Jake Sherman. "But Pelosi, as speaker, controls a hell of a lot too. Like the pursestrings for everything Trump wants to do."
\u201cThis is pathetic\u201d— Michael Cohen (@Michael Cohen) 1547752413
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!
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
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:
\u201cPelosi was scheduled to leave today when Trump canceled use of the military aircraft. The administration \u201cworked with the Air Force and (the Defense Department) and basically took away the rights to the plane from the speaker,\u201d a White House official said https://t.co/W5Izv46JKL\u201d— CNN Politics (@CNN Politics) 1547754279
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]," notedPolitico's Jake Sherman. "But Pelosi, as speaker, controls a hell of a lot too. Like the pursestrings for everything Trump wants to do."
\u201cThis is pathetic\u201d— Michael Cohen (@Michael Cohen) 1547752413
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:
\u201cPelosi was scheduled to leave today when Trump canceled use of the military aircraft. The administration \u201cworked with the Air Force and (the Defense Department) and basically took away the rights to the plane from the speaker,\u201d a White House official said https://t.co/W5Izv46JKL\u201d— CNN Politics (@CNN Politics) 1547754279
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]," notedPolitico's Jake Sherman. "But Pelosi, as speaker, controls a hell of a lot too. Like the pursestrings for everything Trump wants to do."
\u201cThis is pathetic\u201d— Michael Cohen (@Michael Cohen) 1547752413
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!
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.