President Trump responded to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s effort to postpone the State of the Union address by canceling her planned overseas trip and suggesting she fly commercial instead.
Citing security risks, Pelosi wrote the President a letter all but canceling the SOTU address to Congress while the government shutdown continues. She did offer him the opportunity to submit the address in writing as an alternative.
“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,” she wrote, “or for you to consider delivering your State of the Union address in writing to Congress.”
Thursday morning, Pelosi told reporters she was surprised that she hadn’t received a response from Trump.
“We haven’t heard. Very silent, more than 24 hours,” she said.
She probably should have been careful what she wished for.
An Epic Response
In what can only be described as an epic retort to Pelosi’s letter, the President wrote his own version and nearly point for point countered her with a postponement of his own.
Or a travel ban, as it were.
Trump wrote to inform Pelosi that her overseas trip that she was planning on making “to Brussels, Egypt and Afghanistan has been postponed.”
From the snarky disappointment in having to take action, to the alternative travel suggestion, the President’s reply is a veritable work of art, a point-by-point retort.
“In light of the 800,000 great American workers not receiving pay, I’m sure you would agree that postponing this public relations event is totally appropriate,” Trump wrote.
One Last Insult
NBC News reports that the President sought to stop the trip because such official travel plans would require the use of federally funded military aircraft.
“Obviously, if you would like to make your journey by flying commercial, that would certainly be your prerogative.”
President @realDonaldTrump’s letter to @SpeakerPelosi concerning her upcoming travel pic.twitter.com/TtBCvwp080
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) January 17, 2019
Trump chastized the House Speaker explaining “it would be better if you were in Washington negotiating with me and joining the Strong Border Security movement to end the Shutdown.”
LMAO I AM SO WEAK.
PELOSI TRIED TO CANCEL THE SOTU AND TRUMP TOOK AWAY HER PLANE FOR HER OVERSEAS TRIP.
THIS MAN IS A PURE BALLER.
— CJ Pearson (@thecjpearson) January 17, 2019
A White House official told Politico that the President decided to hit Pelosi back “on his terms and timeline.”
“Why does it merit an immediate or serious response?” the official asked. “It’s her suggestion.”
UPDATE – Trump gave the order while Nancy Pelosi and her delegation were actually sitting on the bus that was to transport them to the plane.
House Members sitting on an Air Force bus b/t the Longworth and Rayburn House Office Buildings waiting to see if they are still going overseas after Trump cancelled the trip. pic.twitter.com/e5IgidRPZu
— Jason Donner (@jason_donner) January 17, 2019
