Trump Doesn't Back Down, Sends Pelosi a Letter

One week ago Nancy Pelosi sent President Trump a letter. On Wednesday, he responded in kind. In a letter sent to the House speaker, the president said he intends to give his State of the Union address next Tuesday in the House chamber as per her original invitation, which he wrote was extended "long after the Shutdown began." As for her security concerns, the Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security have assured him "there would be absolutely no problem." As such, "I will be honoring your invitation, and fulfilling my Constitutional duty, to deliver important information to the people and Congress of the United States of America regarding the State of our Union," he wrote.

"It would be so very sad for our Country if the State of the Union were not delivered on time, on schedule, and very importantly, on location!" the president added. The Hill reports Pelosi still has an ace up her sleeve: She can refuse to hold a vote on the resolution that would serve as the formal invitation for Trump to appear before a a joint session of Congress. Prior to the letter's release, Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries said it is "highly unlikely that the State of the Union will take place on the floor of the House of Representatives" if the shutdown is still in force. (Here's what Pelosi had to say about Trump's cancellation of her recent trip.)