Trump Reaches Unprecedented Levels of Snippy In Letter To Pelosi Postponing Afghanistan Trip

By Shane Ryan  |  January 17, 2019 | 2:25pm
Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty
Politics News Nancy Pelosi
Trump Reaches Unprecedented Levels of Snippy In Letter To Pelosi Postponing Afghanistan Trip

We told you Wednesday about House Leader Nancy Pelosi’s call to delay the State of the Union until the government shutdown ends, thereby effectively depriving President Trump of the media oxygen he so desperately craves. It was a good move—pointed, a little bit funny, and without just enough cheek to really enrage Trump—and there was no way he was going to let it go unanswered.

That answer came on Thursday, in a letter from Trump to Pelosi denying her the use of military transport for an upcoming trip to Afghanistan. It is truly a masterpiece of catty snark:

He begins:

Due to the Shutdown, 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.

A soft enough beginning, but the snippy tone is about to hit hard:

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. I also feel that, during this period, it would be better if you were in Washington negotiating with me and joining the Strong Border Security Movement to end the Shutdown.

Ooooh, “this public relations event.” He’s basically calling her a media glory boy—quite rich coming from Trump—and asserting his authority for all the world to see. A total power play.

Obviously, if you would like to make your journey by flying commercial, that would certainly be your prerogative.

“If you want to take one of those heroin transport propeller planes into a dangerous war zone, have at it!”

I look forward to seeing you soon and even more forward to watching our open and dangerous southern border finally receive the attention, funding and security it so desperately deserves!

A few lies there: A, he doesn’t look forward to seeing her, B, the southern border is neither “open” nor “dangerous,” and C, he can’t be “looking forward” to getting what he wants since they’re never going to give him the wall. But hey, at least we got this petty letter.

 
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