President Donald Trump still plans to deliver the State of the Union address, despite Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi rescinding the invitation.
Not backing down
Over a week ago, Speaker Pelosi requested that Trump reconsider giving the State of the Union address before Congress and the country due to the government shutdown. (RELATED: Nancy Pelosi Asks Trump to Delay State of the Union.) Pelosi cited safety concerns and a lack of paid security personnel to justify her request. Here’s what she 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.”
President Trump wasn’t pleased with the request. The entire thing came off as political: that Pelosi was trying to deny Trump a national stage from which to blame Democrats for the shutdown. Trump’s hunch was practically confirmed after the Department for Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen confirmed that security would be adequate should the speech happen.
The Department of Homeland Security and the US Secret Service are fully prepared to support and secure the State of the Union. We thank the Service for their mission focus and dedication and for all they do each day to secure our homeland.
— Sec. Kirstjen Nielsen (@SecNielsen) January 16, 2019
Trump responded to Pelosi’s blatant political request with a move of his own. He canceled the military transportation for Pelosi’s oversees trip to Belgium and Afghanistan. Like Pelosi, he also cited safety concerns. (RELATED: President Trump Responds to Pelosi: Cancels Overseas Trip, Tells Her to Fly Commercial.)
Forging ahead with the State of the Union
The White House is currently considering other options for Trump to deliver the State of the Union. It has mulled the option of having Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell invite Trump to speak. (RELATED: White House Considers Asking Mitch McConnell to Invite Trump to Deliver State of the Union.)
However, whatever the White House and Trump decide, it appears the State of the Union address will be happening no matter what. Fox News’ John Roberts confirmed as much in a series of tweets:
SCOOP: @WhiteHouse has sent a letter to the Sergeant-At-Arms, asking to schedule a walk-through for the SOTU address. SAA cancelled a walk-through last week at the request of @SpeakerPelosi . @realDonaldTrump still plans to be at the Capitol on Jan 29 for the speech
— John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) January 22, 2019
Just to update for clarity – the “letter” was in the form of an email – bits and bytes, 1’s and 0’s, not pretty, gold-embossed WH letterhead.
— John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) January 22, 2019
.@WhiteHouse pursuing two tracks for SOTU. Preferred track is to deliver the speech as scheduled on Jan 29. Whether that happens or not is up to @SpeakerPelosi . 2nd track – a backup plan – is a speech somewhere outside of Washington, DC
— John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) January 22, 2019
Delivering the SOTU speech outside the District would be a stroke of genius. It would also steal away the load of pomposity that goes along with the annual address and deprive Congress of the kind of publicity it loves.
And even better: It would be a win against Pelosi, who sought to stop Trump from making the speech.
Either way, it appears that Trump is going to deliver the speech.
