Pelosi Calls for Delay of Trump's Annual Address to Congress

Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, on Wednesday requested Donald Trump, the President of the United States, to postpone his annual address to Congress due to the partial government shutdown and security concerns. Pelosi made this request as the shutdown entered its twenty-sixth day. According to Reuters, Trump is scheduled to deliver his annual State of the Union address on January 29 (in 13 days) during a joint session of the House and Senate. Members of the Senate, House of Representatives, Supreme Court justices, and foreign diplomats typically attend the President's annual address. Trump warned that the government shutdown could continue indefinitely. In her letter, Pelosi stated that due to the fact that some employees of the Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service, who are responsible for protecting officials, are not working because of the shutdown, security for the event cannot be ensured. The Speaker wrote in her letter: 'Unfortunately, given the security concerns, and if the government does not reopen this week, I suggest we negotiate a suitable date after the government reopens for the timing of this annual address or that you send your annual address text to be read in Congress.' Pelosi also told reporters that if Trump cannot postpone his address to a time when the federal government reopens, he could deliver his speech from his office in the White House. According to the report, the White House has not yet responded to Pelosi's letter. In response to Pelosi's letter, Kirstjen Nielsen, the Secretary of Homeland Security, tweeted that the Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service are prepared to fulfill their duty to protect the President during the annual address. Meanwhile, Jim Jordan, a House Representative and an ally of the Republicans in Congress, stated that Pelosi's letter indicates that the Democrats are focused on opposing the President rather than serving the country. The disagreement between Trump and the Democrats in Congress over funding for the wall on the U.S.-Mexico border has led to parts of the federal government shutting down. Trump is seeking $5.7 billion for the construction of this wall, but the Democrats oppose this request. It is reported that this shutdown has resulted in 800,000 government employees not working or receiving pay for their work.