Donald Trump is really determined to grab the national platform of the State of the Union address, shutdown and disinvitation be damned. Trump has sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that’s trying for smarmy and passive-aggressive in tone, but really mostly hitting aggressive. Trump cites Pelosi’s “kind invitation” of Jan. 3 and the Jan. 16 letter “wherein you expressed concerns regarding security,” but goes on to insist that there will be “absolutely no problem regarding security with respect to the event”—you know, the security provided by people who aren’t being paid.
Therefore, I will be honoring your invitation and fulfilling my Constitutional duty, to deliver important information to the people and Congress regarding the State of our Union.
Reminder: Into the 20th century, the State of the Union was delivered in writing, not as a major speech.
I look forward to seeing you on the evening on January 29th in the Chamber of the House of Representatives. 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!
Another reminder: Pelosi’s Jan. 3 invitation is all very well, but it’s not an official invitation until both the Senate and the House pass resolutions calling for the president to address a joint session. He wasn’t just uninvited; he was technically never invited at all.