Yes, it’s political, but it’s also a travel topic. I’m not supporting either side.
The federal government shutdown continues and a child-like tit-for-tat is going on between the President of the United States, Donald Trump, and the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.
It started when Pelosi threatened to cancel Trump’s annual State of the Union, citing “security” concerns.
The White House and President, usually quick to address insults with insults, was uncharacteristically silent for almost 24 hours.
But this afternoon, we found out why. In a letter to Speaker Pelosi and made public on the President’s Instagram account, he advised her that she would not be permitted to use military aircraft for her planned “public relations event.”
I am sorry to inform you that your trip to Brussels, Egypt and Afghanistan has been postponed. We will reschedule this seven-day excursion when the shutdown is over.
He also advised, “Obviously, if you would like to make your journey by flying commercial, that would certainly be your prerogative.”
The Speaker’s office blamed the President for stopping the Speaker from “express[ing] appreciation & thanks to our men & women in uniform for their service & dedication.”
CONCLUSION
Perhaps Senator Lindsey Graham said it best:
One sophomoric response does not deserve another.
But welcome to 2019. Now, any bets as to whether the Speaker and her congressional delegation will fly commercial? I’m sure Qatar Airways would love the chance to show Members of Congress how great the onboard product is…
> Read More: Why I Rate Qatar Airways Best for Onboard Dining
Ok I admit, it’s kinda funny.
This is great! Keep these kinds of posts coming …
What is Nancy Pelosi doing in Brussels anyway? Meeting with her globalist friends to moan about dem pesky Europeans and Americans who like their cultures and nations?
The CODEL to Afghanistan included a required stop in Brussels for pilot rest. In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to meet with top NATO commanders, US military leaders and key allies–to affirm the United States’ ironclad commitment to the NATO alliance,
It’s cute Pelosi thinks she has any say in our foreign policy. Then again, her kids probably fought them darn Krauts in The Great War.
You lost? I think you meant to type in F-O-X-N-E-W-S-DOT-C-O-M
William, she is the Speaker of the House. She ultimately has say over the entire federal budget now. The budget ultimately controls policy. She has more than a say in our foreign policy. Apparently you attended Trump University. With such ignorant comments like your comment, it is no wonder this country is falling apart.
Thank god you established where the budget resides. Now, could you point to where I commented on the budget, Jeffy?
This reply is to William Y.’s response to Jeff:
Will, you literally said “It’s cute Pelosi thinks she has any say in our foreign policy.” Jeff answered that she does indeed have a say, whether you, the President or anyone else dislikes it. And that’s because she, as Speaker, not only is the 3rd highest authority in the country, but because, in practical terms, her position entitles her to oversight of every government policy, including foreign relations and defense. Especially in the context of budgeting, which is what ultimately informs policy.
I do wonder what the law and rules say about the use of Air Force transportation by the speaker. Yes, the President is the Commander-in-Chief, but it’s not his prerogative to decide who can travel or when a trip is warranted. There’s a rulebook for that.
Belgium is a designated refueling stop when using certain USAF aircraft to go to some airbases in West and Central Asia.
Pelosi didn’t insult Trump in her letter by suggesting to reschedule the SOTU for after the security agencies are fully funded to fully protect the SOTU event as in the prior year. The childish behavior came in respond and is from the man-child President, namely Trump.
@Mike,
“Yes, the President is the Commander-in-Chief, but it’s not his prerogative to decide who can travel or when a trip is warranted. There’s a rulebook for that.”
You’re absolutely right. But the decision to use US Military aircraft for non-military travel rests solely with him as Commander-in-Chief. It certainly didn’t appear that he was trying to decide who can travel or when a trip is warranted,
He simply informed her that it was her choice to continue her trip flying commercial rather than on a military transport.
Given the shutdown, I find it bad form that anyone from Congress would travel until its resolved. All unnecessary travel by the president should be avoided as well in my opinion; unless of course, he is going to some summit with foreign leaders, etc..
I continue to contend that EVERYONE (except the congress and president themselves) needs to be sent home until this is resolved.
Send home the troops, FBI, Border Patrol, TSA, ATF, FAA, Secret Service…literally everyone. Probably ought to turn off the lights and internet too, since that’s what would happen if a company or person ran out of money.
This whole tantrum would have been over before it started and if it didn’t end, we’d get a real vision of what government actually does.
Thanks for posting this. Haven’t seen this in print yet anywhere but I am in Hong Kong right now and blissfully enjoying domestic news.
I’m in Pilok Thailand right now where there is no news, and no one gives a sh__.
But this is entertaining.
Why does she need to go all the way to Afeganisthan spending tax payer money to show her appreciation to men and women in uniform for their service and dedication? What a BS excuse!!!! That is for the president of the country to so not a member of the Congress. Tell her to stay here and so her work and stop the shutdown which she is also to blame for. I am glad she got grounded.
Like the presidents wife took military plane tonight to Florida for a weekend vacation?
Yes, as you said she is the wife of the president. All presidents and families had that benefit. Pelosi is and will never (tks God) a president.
Yeah, that’s not how it works. The Speaker (Pelosi, her predecessors, and whoever ends up replacing her) is the 3rd-highest ranking official in the US. She is as entitled as POTUS and VPOTUS to use USAF transportation when on official business. Note that she is not trying to go to Florida on holiday – it’s Afghanistan we’re talking about…
Trump has had two years, I repeat, TWO YEARS, to secure funding. His party controlled both houses during those two years. It is very clear that a significant amount of Republicans, including many Texas Republicans, don’t want more “metal slats”. Further, these additional metal slats won’t solve any of the problems Trump is complaining about. You sir are more to blame for this mess than Speaker Pelosi. Wake up!
Jeff, you and all the finger pointers on both sides are the problem. As everyone continues to dig in on their side, people go without pay.
+1000 Troops don’t give a crap about her
+1 for Trump. With an estimated net worth north of $100,000,000 I guess poor Nancy can afford to pay for her own commercial flight. If not, maybe poor Nancy can arrange for her brother-in-law, Ron Pelosi to get his former former nephew-by-marriage, Gov. Gavin Newsom, to stiff the California taxpayers for the commerical flights.
She was not Speaker of the House when the shut down started, Paul Ryan was. Republicans were still in charge, they had the majority, they wouldn’t pass the border wall funding. Donald Trump agree to 1.6 Billion. Senate passed it, then he renigged. He and the Republicans shut down the government, not her.
Senate never passed anything, since the Senate couldn’t pass with less than 60 votes, the Republican Senate needed democrats to pass it, as Pres Trump said in that televised discussion with Schumer and Pelosi “he has the votes in the house, but needs Schumer’s senate for the balance of 60 votes”. So in reality, it was the democrats who didn’t pass anything, as it was the democrats in the Senate who refused to give their votes for a total of 60.
There is no “Schumer’s Senate”. The Republican Senate Majority leader pushes through what the Senate Republican leadership wants and stops what the Senate Republican leadership wants to stop. This became clear with the last Trump Supreme Court Justice nominee getting the Senate approval despite the Democratic opposition.
The 60 Senate votes or filibuster threat is a shadow of its former self.
Trump publicly wanted ownership for the shutdown even before the House flipped in its majority, and now Trump’e Congressional backers own the shutdown of Trumpistas’ own making.
@Globalist Juice, In fact a budget was passed by unanimous vote of the Senate, which Trump then refused to sign, that is why all the Senators went home for Xmas, in the expectation their jobs were done. That vote was called by Mitch McConnell, and voted for unanimously by the GOP senators.
It was Trump who publicly took ownership in advance, and it was he who refused to sign (apparently reversing course on his own party’s Senate Majority Leader).
I know facts don’t count for much these days but please read a few before commenting, although I’d imagine you’re a Russian troll anyway.
The whole situation is a disgrace.
Also it was previously unheard of for a president to reveal the confidential travel plans of congresspeople to war-zones but I suppose that basic standard of decency is out the window along with all the others.
Matthew there’s a difference between not taking either side and telling the truth
You fail to mention that DJT took a trip to Mar-a-Lago over Christmas on taxpayer money DURING THE SHUTDOWN
What’s the difference? Oh right, he was going on holiday and she was going to visit US troops
What a joke
how did Matthew not tell the truth by not mentioning something entirely irrelevant to the story? jooeee you’re sooo lost buddyyy
Read the last paragraph of Trump’s letter people! Where is this open and dangerous southern border that so desperately needs “metal slats” with a $5 billion pricetag! If it was so dangerous, then why did he recall the troops he sent to the border right before the election? If it is so open, then why didn’t he get this desperately needed funding while his party controlled the House and Senate the last two years? It is ridiculous to shut down the government over terribly expensive yet totally worthless “metal slats”!
The majority of illegal aliens come through the airports, where is the wall around the airports? The second largest illegal alien group are Canadians, where is the wall on the northern border?
@Jeff,
You must be getting your news from CNN – Troops on the border were extended back in December though at least the end of January… Hell even the NYT was reporting that. Nobody wants to hear your fake news skreed just because you hate the current state of our union.
This is what comes of the election of this child-like creature to the highest office. Coincides with the release of the poll of political scientists ranking all presidents. Trump came last (44/45, given that Cleveland served 2 separate terms); even with Republicans polled he was 40th. What an embarrassment this guy is. Roll on 2020.
What compensation is Madam Speaker asking for? Miles? Vouchers? Did she even get a meal voucher? Or is no compensation an enhancement by the USAF?
Did anyone consider Emirates A380 IAD – DXB connecting with an Emirates 777 DXB-KBL?
Do you want to risk the safety and well-being to the third in line to be POTUS? Why do you hate adequately protecting our Constitutional officers doing site visits to sensitive areas for forces under their watch?
It’s not appropriate to have such a senior US official as Trump, Pence, or Pelosi arrive into Kabul on a regularly scheduled commercial passenger flight. Afghanistan ain’t Iowa.
Many heads of state (who is IT, not #3) fly commercial. Germany, Singapore, Canada, etc. As long as there is security to meet them at the airport.
Better yet, play games with the enemy. Pretend like you’re not going. Then today, Pelosi could sneak on an Emirates flight. She could wear a burqa (black potato sack that covers the whole face except mesh where the eyes peek out) until she arrives in Afghanistan. If she suddenly appears in Afghanistan, she would look like she won.
I believe you may be right about Singapore, but Canada definitely has Air Force VIP aircraft for the Prime Minister, Governor General, Queen and cabinet ministers. The RCAF fleet includes Challenger private jets and A310s. Germany does too. It’s all on wikipedia…
I know that many heads of state and of governments fly commercial often enough or sometimes even always. While there is a lot of commercial flight use of course, there are still times where some of those commercial flight users take non-commercial flights for security or other reasons at least.
Pelosi and the delegation were apparently booked to fly commercially to do the trip even to Afghanistan before Trump supposedly leaked out the “fly commercial” plan.
I think Pelosi is an unnecessary risk taker to have even considered flying into Kabul airport on commercially scheduled flights — that is a compromised entry into the country from a security perspective.
The head of government of Yapp just isn’t as prime a target for extremists in Afghanistan as the third in line for the US Presidency.
The German Chancellors and Canadian PMs visits to Afghanistan didn’t involve flying commercially scheduled passenger flights into Kabul.
Even their key cabinet minister visits to Afghanistan don’t take place on say GCC carrier flights.
Matthew, your biases are shining through pretty heavily. Pelosi only suggested that delaying the speech would be the way to go. She didn’t threaten. I shouldn’t be the one saying this as a commenter, you should be saying it as the writer. And I’m not even a Democrat.
Everything that doesn’t scream “orange man bad, muh feelingz!!1” is bias to you people.
You people, eh? I guess you’re a Democrat, since I’m not. Easy there, snowflake.
Perhaps Senator Lindsey Graham said it best:
“I’m not going to try to get into the mind of Donald Trump because I don’t think there’s a whole lot of space there. I think he’s a kook. I think he’s crazy. I think he’s unfit for office.”
The press should encourage these games if the shutdown ends. Instead of shutting down the federal government, the Wall or No Wall question would be fought between Pelosi and Trump this way (effectively cancel State of the Union, cancel her flight, etc.). Later, if unresolved, an arm wrestling match, like Southwest Airlines’ Herb did when he had a trademark dispute with a smaller company over “Just Plane Smart”. If Pelosi says she’s a woman, Schumer can take her place.
I’m just here to read the comments!