The Trump White House appears to be planning on going ahead with the State of the Union address, which would put pressure on the shoulders of Speaker Nancy Pelosi to decide how she will proceed.
With Pelosi playing politics with the annual address, urging President Trump to delay the speech or submit it in writing amid the government shutdown, it’s being reported that the White House sent a letter to the House Sergeant at Arms asking to schedule a walk-through for next week’s planned address.
Citing several sources, Fox News reported that it’s “unclear whether the address scheduled for Jan. 29 will in fact go forward, or what venue it would be in. The White House is even planning for the possibility of a speech outside of Washington.”
More from Fox News:
At the moment, President Trump intends to be at the Capitol next Tuesday to deliver his speech as scheduled, sources said. White House officials told Fox News they essentially are preparing for two tracks for next week’s speech. The preferred track is an address, as per custom, at the Capitol. The second track is a backup plan for a speech outside of Washington, D.C.
Ultimately, whether the speech is given on the House floor is up to Pelosi. In an appearance on Fox News on Tuesday, White House Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley suggested the president could move the location of the speech should Pelosi block it in the House.
“There are many ways he can deliver the State of the Union address,” Gidley said on “America’s Newsroom.” “I’m not going to get ahead of anything he would announce.”
Jennifer Jacobs, a reporter for Bloomberg News, tweeted: “The White House sent an email requesting access to House chamber for State of the Union prep. House officials waiting for Speaker Pelosi’s office’s guidance on how to proceed.”
The White House sent an email requesting access to House chamber for State of the Union prep. House officials waiting for Speaker Pelosi's office's guidance on how to proceed, sources told me and @HouseInSession https://t.co/qKammwTPkz
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) January 22, 2019
Jacobs’ tweet was in response to Fox News Chief White House Correspondent John Roberts reporting on the issue, to include a note that a scheduled walk through last week was canceled by Pelosi.
He also noted that the White House is “pursuing two tracks,” one being “outside of Washington.”
“Preferred track is to deliver the speech as scheduled on Jan 29. Whether that happens or not is up to @SpeakerPelosi . 2nd track – a backup plan – is a speech somewhere outside of Washington, DC,” he tweeted.
.@WhiteHouse pursuing two tracks for SOTU. Preferred track is to deliver the speech as scheduled on Jan 29. Whether that happens or not is up to @SpeakerPelosi . 2nd track – a backup plan – is a speech somewhere outside of Washington, DC
— John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) January 22, 2019
White House Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley appeared Tuesday on Fox News’ “American Newsroom” to say Pelosi was “trying to play politics” with the venue and suggested the president could move the location of the speech.
“There are many ways he can deliver the State of the Union address,” Gidley said. “I’m not going to get ahead of anything he would announce.”
In light of Pelosi’s stance, there have been suggestions that Trump hold the SOTU on the southern border, where the humanitarian crisis the Democratic Party refuses to acknowledge is taking place.
There have also been suggestions to hold the SOTU at the White House and invite “Angel Parents” — mothers and fathers of US citizens killed by illegal immigrants.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., took to Twitter to suggest the president hold the address in the upper chamber of Congress.
“Senator McConnell is in charge of the Senate. If Mrs. Pelosi refuses to allow the president to deliver the State of the Union in the House, I propose we move it to the Senate and make it happen!” he tweeted.
Senator McConnell is in charge of the Senate. If Mrs. Pelosi refuses to allow the president to deliver the State of the Union in the House, I propose we move it to the Senate and make it happen!
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 17, 2019
The news prompted some on social media to suggest that Trump is planning to cave and re-open the federal government before next week — but don’t count on it.
He’s going to open the government. His base managed to survive his first 2 years without a wall; they can go 2 more.
— Tim (@timpplex) January 22, 2019
Here’s a sampling of other responses from Twitter:
It should be at a NFL stadium filled to the top with his supporters and angel Mom’s and Dad’s!!!!! #MAGA
— Tim Whitener (@whitener_tim) January 22, 2019
Might I suggest Moscow for the speech? I hear he’s very popular there. :)
— Bill In San Diego (@truthfaux) January 22, 2019
Well if @SpeakerPelosi denies @realDonaldTrump the opportunity to give the SOU speech in Congress, does that mean there will be no need for a DIM response? Oh that’s right, the response comes before his speech!
— Dr. Charles W Minnis (@pipes20111) January 22, 2019
Independence Hall in Philly would be a great place for the SOTU speech. #Constitution
— Shawn Hart (@Shawn__Hart) January 22, 2019
If he does it there, we won‘t need to see the TV cameras pan the democrats while they stare him down without clapping once.
— jajadad (@FocalPointHDR) January 22, 2019
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The longest-tenured writer at BizPac Review, Tom grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills.
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