Trump should postpone his State of the Union Address: Pelosi

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The longest ever partial government shutdown is now on its 26th day. On Wednesday, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has forwarded a letter to President Donald Trump. She requested that he postpone his State of the Union address slated for January 29 until the reopening of the U.S government. The lead federal agency is responsible for the event’s security protocols.

The U.S Secret Service falls under the DHS (Department of Homeland Security), but hasn’t been funded since roughly 25% of the federal government shuttered last month. Pelosi said, “It is due to the critical departments hamstrung by furloughs”. Pelosi said that the speech to Congress should be rescheduled or delivered in writing.

Pelosi wrote in her forwarded letter, “Sadly, given the security concerns and unless government re-opens this week, I suggest that we work together to determine another suitable date after government has re-opened for this address or for you to consider delivering your State of the Union address in writing to the Congress on January 29th”. The White House didn’t immediately respond to the request for comment. No public statements had been made by the president or press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on whether they would postpone the speech or deliver it in writing.

Pelosi highlighted DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen last September “designated State of the Union addresses as National Special Security Events, recognizing the need for ‘the full resources of the federal government to be brought to bear’ to ensure the security of these events”. Pelosi said that it wouldn’t be safe due to the “weeks of detailed planning with dozens of agencies working together to prepare for the safety of all participants”.