After Nancy Pelosi effectively uninvited Donald Trump from delivering the State of the Union, the president seemed to use more restraint than usual. He waited a whole day to deliver a counterpunch but when he did it was a low blow. Trump not only said he was preventing the Speaker of the House from using a military plane for her an official business trip, but he also revealed her classified plans to travel to Afghanistan and Egypt, a move that could have put her safety in jeopardy. And did we mention the trip was set to begin this afternoon?
President @realDonaldTrump’s letter to @SpeakerPelosi concerning her upcoming travel pic.twitter.com/TtBCvwp080
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) January 17, 2019
The details of Pelosi's planned travel to Brussels, Egypt and Afghanistan — particularly those destinations — had not been previously announced. Earlier today her aides asked news organizations not to report that the trip would take place, citing national security.
— Steven Portnoy (@stevenportnoy) January 17, 2019
A White House official said Trump decided to hit back “on his terms and timeline.” Defending the decision to wait more than a day to respond, the official said, “Why does it merit an immediate or serious response? It’s her suggestion.”
Before Thursday afternoon, the only formal response from the administration came in a Wednesday tweet from Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, who insisted that her department and the U.S. Secret Service are “fully prepared to support and secure” the annual event, which brings together the highest-ranking officials from all three branches of government.
I keep thinking about this point @maggieNYT made yesterday. Trump spent 24 hours searching for something he could take from Pelosi, and could only land on something she won’t bat an eye over losing. https://t.co/q0r8l4Nfv4
— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) January 17, 2019
It will be interesting to see if Trump’s Davos contingent is still allowed to fly on government planes to Switzerland.
Trump's Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin just got back from Cabo San Lucas during the shutdown and now Mnuchin, Mike Pompeo and Wilbur Ross are headed to Davos for a trip. Maybe Trump can explain why Pelosi's trip to Afghanistan is canceled but his cabinet members' trip is not. pic.twitter.com/RhH9yBnzHf
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) January 17, 2019
Pelosi should troll back:
"Mr. President:
Thank you for your letter. As I will not be visiting our troops in Afghanistan, I will be iin DC asking my committee chairman to subpoena your tax returns, those of your children, and all of your business entities.
Love ya. Mean it."
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) January 17, 2019