Pence abruptly cancels New Hampshire trip for unspecified reason

Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday abruptly canceled a planned appearance at a New Hampshire opioid event to remain in Washington, D.C.

{mosads}Pence’s office said in a statement that the change of plans is “no cause for alarm.”

The vice president never left the nation’s capital for the Granite State, officials said, contrary to reports that Air Force Two was called back in midair so that he could attend to an unspecified emergency.

Clarification: the announcement said that Pence is heading back to Washington, not specifically the White House. https://t.co/MX8SVCdxh0

— Pat Ward (@WardDPatrick) July 2, 2019

At Salem NH opioid event w the @VP, spokesperson just came onto podium and announced event today is canceled because #AirForce2 was called back to Washington DC so Pence could attend to an emergency. #fitn @NBC10Boston @NECN #mapoli

— Sean Colahan (@SeanColahan) July 2, 2019

“Something came up that required the @VP to remain in Washington, DC. It’s no cause for alarm. He looks forward to rescheduling the trip to New Hampshire very soon,” Pence spokeswoman Alyssa Farah tweeted. 

Something came up that required the @VP to remain in Washington, DC. It’s no cause for alarm. He looks forward to rescheduling the trip to New Hampshire very soon.

— Alyssa Farah (@VPPressSec) July 2, 2019

White House spokesman Hogan Gidley delivered a nearly identical statement, telling The Hill that “something that came up that required the VP to remain in D.C. There is no cause for concern.”

Farah in a follow-up tweet said Pence never left Washington, adding that there was no “emergency callback.”

The @VP never left Washington, DC. There was no “emergency callback.” Something came up that required the VP to stay in DC. We’ll reschedule NH shortly. https://t.co/h270JCEUIG

— Alyssa Farah (@VPPressSec) July 2, 2019

A senior administration official said that Pence’s decision to stay in Washington “has nothing to do with the health of the vice president or the president.”

It is unusual for a president or vice president to suddenly shift their travel plans and the announcement set off speculation in Washington about the reasons for the change. 

Pence was scheduled to speak with former patients of the Granite Recovery Center in Salem, N.H., and deliver formal remarks on the opioid crisis before returning to the nation’s capital in the late afternoon.

Updated at 1:08 p.m.