Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has requested that President Trump delay the State of the Union address while the government shutdown continues.
Pelosi requests a delay
The New York Times reports: “Speaker Nancy Pelosi, citing security constraints from the ongoing government shutdown, has asked President Trump to reschedule his Jan. 29 State of the Union address or deliver it to Congress in writing unless the government reopens this week.”
Pelosi is concerned about the appearance of giving a high-profile speech to the nation while the government remains dysfunctional. On a more practical note, she points out security and logistical concerns as many government employees, including security personnel, are going without pay.
Pelosi said in a statement: “Sadly, given the security concerns and unless government re-opens this week, I suggest that we work together to determine another suitable date after government has re-opened for this address or for you to consider delivering your State of the Union address in writing to Congress on January 29.”
Nancy Pelosi asked President Trump to delay his State of the Union address or deliver it in writing unless the shutdown ends soon https://t.co/GggLCL2n7d
— The New York Times (@nytimes) January 16, 2019
President Trump should reject the offer to delay the State of the Union
President Trump should unequivocally reject Pelosi’s request, and deliver the State of the Union speech. The speech is one of the few moments the President commands the nation’s attention. It’s his chance to speak once again directly to the American people on the need for a wall along the southern border. As the Times points out: “With Democrats and Mr. Trump at an impasse over his demands for funding for a wall along the southern border, the speech would give Mr. Trump a nationally televised bully pulpit to hammer away at Ms. Pelosi and her party.”
Trump doesn’t need Pelosi’s permission to deliver the address. He could do it before a crowd in the White House, or he could deliver it in the Senate chamber, or even have House Republicans invite him to deliver it at the normal spot.
Pelosi is using personnel worries as an excuse to deny Trump a podium to speak to the American people about Democrats refusing to secure the border. Trump should reject it out of hand.
