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On Thursday, President Trump suddenly denied a military aircraft to House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi for a trip abroad a few minutes before the planned departure of the Congressional delegation, in an astounding decision who followed his call to delay the speech on the state of the Union in the middle of the government.
In a short letter, Trump explained that his trip had been "postponed".
"Due to the closure, I am sorry to inform you that your trip to Brussels, Egypt and Afghanistan has been postponed. We will reschedule this seven day tour when the closure is over. In light of the 800,000 large American workers who do not receive a salary, you will surely agree that the postponement of this public relations event is entirely appropriate, "said Trump.
19659003]" I ' I also have the feeling that during this period, it would be better for you to be in Washington to negotiate with me and join the Strong Border Security movement to end the closure, obviously if you want to make your trip by doing commercial flights, that would certainly be your prerogative. "
According to sources, the president would have disconnected her plane while she was preparing to depart for her trip abroad. Military aircraft from his congressional delegation was due to leave at 3 pm
A senior White House official also told Fox News that all the movements of the delegation of the Military Air Congresses are now postponed.
STOPPING SUSPENSION: PELOSI RENEWS CALL FOR DELAY IN THE STATE OF THE "UNION" BY & # 39; FRINGE & # 39;
A manager said that & # 39; "As soon as the president heard of the move today, he immediately took action." A source told Fox News that, when it canceled Thursday's flight, the White House explained that the trip would prevent Pelosi from traveling to the country beyond next Tuesday – in the next pay period of the week. government.
"If she had made this trip, she would have guaranteed that 800,000 federal employees would not receive their second paycheque because she would not have been there to negotiate any agreement," she said. Thursday a senior White House official.
But Pelosi's office fought back. Spokesperson, Drew Hammill, said the goal was to meet allies and thank our men and women in uniform for their service and dedication "- while noting that there was no stop expected in Egypt
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., described the move as "small" and "small." "
" He is unworthy of the President of the United States. But it's unfortunately a daily occurrence, "he said.
Republicans reacted in half on the president's decision.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. , Stated that this decision was "entirely appropriate." Senator Lindsey Graham, RS.C., described it as "inappropriate."
"A sophomoric response does not occur." in merit not another. The threat of President Pelosi to cancel the state of the Union is very irresponsible and obviously political, "he tweeted.
The President's decision to cancel the visit Pelosi's intervention comes after the House Speaker's request to delay his annual speech on the state of the Union – even though a White House official said that the aircraft's decision Was not an "answer" to Pelosi's letter.
The President is to deliver his message to a joint session of Congress on January 29, but Pelosi urged Wednesday the President to stay until reopening from the Government or pronounce the address in writing.
The speaker held this call earlier on Thursday.
"The date of the state of the Union does not. is not a sacred date, it is not required by the Constitution.This is not the birthday of the President, it is simply a date agreed, "Pelosi told reporters at a press conference held Thursday at the Capitol." That's why I told the president, if you do not open up the government, discuss of a mutually acceptable date. "
PELOSI TAKES HEAT TO DELAY THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
She added:" This could be a week later, if the government is reopened . "[19659003] For more than 24 hours, Trump did not respond to Pelosi's request, even though his Republican compatriots had condemned his delay request.
Meanwhile, congressional lawmakers sat on a bus waiting to see if they could leave. Among them are Adam Schiff, chair of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, and D-NY, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Fox News learned that Capitol Hill security officials had received a Pentagon emergency call canceling the trip abroad due to the closure of the station.
In a climate of increasing confusion, Fox News reportedly learned that furious calls were going on between Capitol Hill, the state, and the Pentagon. and the offices of the White House. The bus then returned to the Capitol, where members returned to the building.
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When asked to clarify the context of the congressional delegation and the apparent delay of the trip. Sarah Sanders, Press Secretary at the White House, reiterated that Pelosi could fly commercial flights: "The Ministry of Defense must approve military air travel, and as it stated in its letter, it can still to go, she just has to go on commercial trips. "
The rhetoric continues to show that both sides of the standoff are refusing to withdraw, resulting in the end of funding shortly before the holidays last month.
Trump claims nearly $ 6 billion for a border wall, while Pelosi and other Democrats have described this project. as immoral. Both parties were unable to reach an agreement that resolves their differences and reopens a large number of closed agencies.
The closure, which is now the longest in the history of the United States, has left more than 800,000 federal workers and contractors without pay. Some federal employees have been deemed essential to the functioning of the government and are required to work without pay. Others have been fired but are still not paid.
Jennifer Bowman and Sarah Tobianski of Fox News contributed to this report.
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