Trump grounded the military aircraft that was to have taken Nancy Pelosi and several other US lawmakers to Afghanistan, with a stopover in Brussels to meet US Nato allies, less than an hour before it was due to depart.
Several members of the delegation due to travel with Pelosi to Afghanistan were already aboard an Air Force bus, waiting to be driven to Andrews Air Force base for the flight, when news of the cancellation came through.
“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,” Trump wrote in a letter to Pelosi, explaining why he was cancelling the trip.
Pelosi had written to Trump earlier this week to suggest that he either postpone his 29 January State of the Union address, or simply provide the text in writing, citing security concerns because of the shutdown.
Following the cancellation of the congressional delegation’s flight, CNN reports that “Democrats responded angrily”, releasing a series of statements that were highly critical of Trump.
“All too often in the last two years, the president has acted like he’s in the fifth grade. And to have someone who has that kind of character running the country is an enormous problem at every level,” said House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff.