The BBC reports:
Mr Trump’s cancellation of the trip emerged barely half an hour before the Democratic speaker of the House of Representatives was scheduled to leave on Thursday afternoon. A White House official told US media the president was able to halt the foreign trip by Mrs Pelosi and a congressional delegation because they were set to use military aircraft.
Mrs Pelosi’s travel had not been announced before Mr Trump’s letter. Some commentators expressed dismay that the president would reveal plans about a trip to war zone by a congresswoman who is second in line to the presidency.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters the president’s “petty” action “demeans the presidency”. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said: “One sophomoric response does not deserve another.”
One sophomoric response does not deserve another. Speaker Pelosi’s threat to cancel the State of the Union is very irresponsible and blatantly political.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 17, 2019
President Trump denying Speaker Pelosi military travel to visit our troops in Afghanistan, our allies in Egypt and NATO is also inappropriate.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 17, 2019
I am glad the Speaker wants to meet our troops and hear from our commanders and allies. I am very disappointed she’s playing politics with the State of the Union.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 17, 2019
I wish our political leadership could find the same desire to work for common goals as those who serve our nation in uniform and other capacities.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 17, 2019