Pelosi Sends Trump a Letter With a Big Ask

On Jan. 3 she formally invited him to deliver the State of the Union address on Jan. 29; just shy of two weeks later, Nancy Pelosi wants it rescheduled until after the shutdown ends—or just delivered in writing. In a letter sent to President Trump, Pelosi cited security concerns, noting that in September Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen designated the address as a "National Special Security Event." That puts it in a category that demands "weeks of detailed planning with dozens of agencies," in an effort led by the Secret Service.

Except, she writes, the Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security have gone 26 days without funding, creating the "security concerns" fueling her request. Barring an end to the shutdown this week, Pelosi asks that the president work with her "to determine another suitable date" to deliver it or just deliver it in writing, as was the practice during the 19th century and up until the presidency of Woodrow Wilson. (More State of the Union address stories.)