President Donald Trump has officially grounded House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Trump wrote a letter to Pelosi on Thursday postponing her upcoming trip overseas until the ongoing partial government shutdown is ended. This comes a day after Pelosi’s letter to the President postponing the State of the Union address.
“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,” he wrote. “Obviously, if you would like to make your journey flying commercial, that would certainly be your prerogative.”
President @realDonaldTrump’s letter to @SpeakerPelosi concerning her upcoming travel pic.twitter.com/TtBCvwp080
— Kayleigh McEnany 45 Archived (@PressSec45) January 17, 2019
Pelosi’s travel plans included a seven day trip to Brussels, Egypt, and Afghanistan. Some reporting suggests she and several other Democratic lawmakers were scheduled to leave Thursday afternoon.
https://twitter.com/kevincorke/status/1085981884444786688
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters that Trump just wants to keep lawmakers in Washington until they can work out a deal to secure the U.S. border and fund ongoing government operations.
“If she leaves, she guarantees that the second round of paychecks to workers won’t go out,” Sanders said.
Reporters gathered outside @PressSec's office just asked why Trump sent the letter: "We want to keep her in Washington. If she leaves she guarantees that the second round of paychecks to workers won’t go out.”
— Alex Mallin (@alex_mallin) January 17, 2019
