I think it is perfectly fine if Speaker Pelosi cites security as an issue with the State of the Union address since Trump's government shutdown. We already know the hearings for nominee to the Attorney General's office was changed because of security issues due to the government shutdown. So, the idea the problem with security running over into other official capacities under the Capital Dome is more than reasonable.
I would suggest that Speaker Pelosi make public the assessment that brought her to that conclusion. We did not see proof from Trump or the US Senate stating why security was an issue with the Senate hearing for the Attorney General office, so perhaps the Speaker will have greater respect for the American people and allow them to understand why there is a delay in the State of the Union address.
That is all the American people want is clarity in these particular problems because otherwise the Republicans treat it like a football and turn it into rhetoric to score points for elections. Americans need to understand the facts and that is what President Obama always brought to his speeches. He brought facts and the American people responded in kind to his requests.
This is not difficult. It is based in truth and honest. The American people want a strong voice from their government about any issue that manifests based in truth, honesty and justice.
January 16, 2019
By Ramesh Ponnuru
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (click here) is rescinding her invitation to President Trump to give the State of the Union address on January 29. She says he should not give it until the shutdown is over, or should deliver it in writing. The president can give the same speech if he wants to — but he will have to give it in a less traditional venue.
The House Republicans’ campaign committee has sent out an email grouping Pelosi’s decision with other Democrats’ expressions of hostility to the Senate, the Electoral College, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. But the Senate and the Electoral College are part of our Constitution, and ICE is necessary to carry out an important government function. An annual presidential speech to Congress is neither. If the shutdown results in the end of this tradition begun by Woodrow Wilson, something good will have come of it....
