Last week, Nancy Pelosi sent a letter to Donald Trump, essentially informing him that his invitation to give his State of the Union address on the House floor, as is tradition, had been rescinded.
“Sadly, given the security concerns and unless government re-opens this week,” she wrote, “I suggest that we work together to determine another suitable date after government has re-opened for this address.” She also suggested he consider submitting his address in writing. That used to be how the State of the Union was delivered, so it’s not that unusual an idea, but it must have infuriated Trump, who, as we know, loves nothing more than television cameras and standing ovations.
send a letter, mike https://t.co/JrFNQjmeVe
— Oliver Willis (@owillis) January 23, 2019
Earlier today, Trump responded with a letter of his own, refusing Pelosi’s decision. He said the SotU would proceed “on time, on schedule, and very importantly, on location!” The White House has reportedly been pushing for a walk-through of the venue Pelosi does not seem willing to give him access to. And according to Politico, “An outside Trump adviser said two drafts of the State of the Union address are being written — one to deliver at the Capitol and one to deliver to people other than members of Congress — as Trump and his advisers prepare for either venue.”
Now, Pelosi has released yet another letter to Trump, which can essentially be boiled down to “Did I stutter??”
BREAKING: @SpeakerPelosi to decline steps to permit a State of the Union Jan 29 pic.twitter.com/ZDbKGjduNT
— Kelly O’Donnell (@KellyO) January 23, 2019
“I am writing to inform you that the House of Representatives will not consider a concurrent resolution authorizing the President’s State of the Union address in the House Chamber until government has opened,” the letter reads. “Again, I look forward to welcoming you to the House on a mutually agreeable date for this address when government has been opened.”
Speaker Pelosi won’t say what would happen if Trump shows up uninvited next Tuesday. Would she have him removed? Would Democrats boycott? Pelosi hasn’t let him steamroll her thus far, and it would be incredibly disappointing if she did end up caving to his bullying. That doesn’t seem likely at this point, though.
Trump is attempting to hold the government (and all furloughed and unpaid government workers) hostage until he gets his arbitrary demand of $5 billion for a symbolic monument to racism. But it’s not working and that must confuse and enrage him to no end. He can’t even bring himself to come up with a stupid nickname for Pelosi, so you know he’s scared of her.
POTUS nickname for Nancy Pelosi is Nancy. https://t.co/BID8ynvcu6
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) January 23, 2019
Trump, meanwhile, accused Pelosi of canceling the State of the Union because she’s “afraid of the truth” and “she doesn’t want the American public to see what’s going on.” It seems more likely that she doesn’t want to cave to the demands of a bully and give him money for an ineffectual wall, just so he can go on TV and get Republicans to clap for his lies. But sure, he can say she’s “afraid.”
Update 1/24: Donald Trump has agreed to postpone the State of the Union until after the shutdown ends because Pelosi is a freaking boss.
As the Shutdown was going on, Nancy Pelosi asked me to give the State of the Union Address. I agreed. She then changed her mind because of the Shutdown, suggesting a later date. This is her prerogative – I will do the Address when the Shutdown is over. I am not looking for an….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 24, 2019
….alternative venue for the SOTU Address because there is no venue that can compete with the history, tradition and importance of the House Chamber. I look forward to giving a “great” State of the Union Address in the near future!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 24, 2019
(image: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Holds Her Weekly News Conference On Capitol Hill)
Want more stories like this? Become a subscriber and support the site!
—The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling.—
