Trump says he’s ‘still thinking’ about Pelosi’s request to postpone State of the Union

President Trump said early Sunday that he will respond “soon” to Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) request to postpone the State of the Union address amid an escalating clash between the two leaders.

“Nancy, I am still thinking about the State of the Union speech, there are so many options – including doing it as per your written offer (made during the Shutdown, security is no problem), and my written acceptance,” Trump tweeted.

“While a contract is a contract, I’ll get back to you soon!”

Nancy, I am still thinking about the State of the Union speech, there are so many options – including doing it as per your written offer (made during the Shutdown, security is no problem), and my written acceptance. While a contract is a contract, I’ll get back to you soon!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2019

{mosads}Pelosi’s spokesman, Drew Hammill, responded on Twitter that the Speaker’s office “never received a ‘written acceptance’ from the President.”

To be clear, the Speaker’s Office never received a “written acceptance” from the President. https://t.co/Ost228zPIf

— Drew Hammill (@Drew_Hammill) January 20, 2019

Trump had not previously addressed Pelosi’s call to reschedule the State of the Union directly, though multiple reports indicated the White House was weighing alternative options, including delivering the speech in the Senate chamber.

Pelosi said last week that the address scheduled for Jan. 29 should be postponed due to the ongoing partial government shutdown, which has lasted 30 days and counting. She suggested the two sides “work together to determine another suitable date after government has re-opened.” 

The Democratic leader has cited security concerns associated with the shuttering of several government agencies, which has left Secret Service members without pay.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), however, said the agency would be able to guarantee the safety of the event, despite the shutdown.

The president indirectly responded to Pelosi’s postponement by refusing to provide U.S. military transportation for her planned congressional delegation trip to Afghanistan and Belgium.

Trump on Sunday lashed out at Pelosi in a series of tweets, targeting her over her opposition to his immigration proposal that would reopen the government.

The president decried her as a “radical Democrat” and accused her and other party members of acting with the 2020 election in mind.

“Nancy Pelosi has behaved so irrationally & has gone so far to the left that she has now officially become a Radical Democrat,” Trump wrote in a tweet. “She is so petrified of the ‘lefties’ in her party that she has lost control.”

“And by the way, clean up the streets in San Francisco, they are disgusting!” the president added in a barb at Pelosi’s district.

Nancy Pelosi has behaved so irrationally & has gone so far to the left that she has now officially become a Radical Democrat. She is so petrified of the “lefties” in her party that she has lost control…And by the way, clean up the streets in San Francisco, they are disgusting!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2019

Nancy Pelosi and some of the Democrats turned down my offer yesterday before I even got up to speak. They don’t see crime & drugs, they only see 2020 – which they are not going to win. Best economy! They should do the right thing for the Country & allow people to go back to work.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2019 

Trump on Saturday proposed a deal that would include more than $5 billion in funding for a wall along the southern border; a three-year extension of protections for “Dreamers,” immigrants who benefit from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and Temporary Protected Status holders; and funding for additional immigration judges. 

Pelosi called Trump’s proposal a “non-starter” shortly before the president unveiled the details. Other Democrats joined her in opposition a short time later, calling it “non-serious” and “more hostage taking.”

Some hard-line conservatives panned the proposal, likening it to amnesty. 

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said he would bring Trump’s proposal up for a vote this week.

Updated at 4:47 p.m.