US government shutdown gets personal as Donald Trump cancels Nancy Pelosi’s flights for overseas trip
- US President Donald Trump told Speaker Nancy Pelosi her flights to Belgium, Egypt and Afghanistan on a military plane had been axed
US President Donald Trump on Thursday stopped House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi from using a military plane for an overseas trip, in a sarcasm-laced response to the Democratic leader’s suggestion he postpone the State of the Union address during the partial government shutdown.
Trump told Pelosi in a letter that her trip to Belgium, Egypt and Afghanistan, which he derided as a “public relations event”, would be postponed, citing the shutdown that has entered its 27th day.
It was not clear what trip Trump was referring to. Lawmakers often do not publicise foreign trips before they occur for security reasons, particularly when the trips involve a war zone as in this case.
“Due to the Shutdown, I am sorry to inform you that your trip to Brussels, Egypt and Afghanistan has been postponed,” Trump’s letter said.
Pelosi asks Trump to delay State of the Union, citing shutdown security
He continued: “In light of the 800,000 great American workers not receiving pay, I am sure you would agree that postponing this public relations event is totally appropriate.”