U.S. President Donald Trump said in a late night Tweet on Wednesday that he would delay a State of the Union address until the government shutdown was over, responding to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s move to obstruct his plans for the speech.
Earlier in the day, Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives floated the idea of ending the partial government shutdown by giving Trump most or all of the money he seeks for security along the Mexican border but for items other than the wall he wants.
As a shutdown that has left 800,000 federal workers without pay hit its 33rd day, Pelosi effectively disinvited Trump from delivering the annual State of the Union address in the House chamber until the government is fully opened.
The Republican president responded to the Democrat speaker with a tweet.
“This is her prerogative – I will do the Address when the Shutdown is over. I am not looking for an alternative venue for the SOTU Address because there is no venue that can compete with the history, tradition and importance of the House Chamber,” the president said in the tweet.
“I look forward to giving a “great” State of the Union Address in the near future!”
Related posts:
No state of union speech until Govt. shutdown is over says speaker, Pelosi
Pelosi asks Trump to delay State of the Union as shutdown lingers
Trump urges bipartisan unity in State of the Union address
Trump to deliver State of the Union address on Feb. 4
President Trump addresses nation, joint session of Congress in state of the union 2020 speech
Trump urges future gov’t shutdown, easier passage of laws
Trump announces deal to end government shutdown
Donald Trump extends America’s national shutdown for a month
