WASHINGTON _ Speaker Nancy Pelosi _ and a congressional delegation planning to visit troops in Afghanistan on commercial airlines after President Donald Trump tried to derail the trip Thursday _ won't be traveling at all after the administration leaked their new travel plans and caused a security threat, a Pelosi spokesman said Friday.
"After President Trump revoked the use of military aircraft to travel to Afghanistan, the delegation was prepared to fly commercially to proceed with this vital trip to meet with our commanders and troops on the front lines," Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill said in a statement.
"In the middle of the night, the State Department's Diplomatic Security Service provided an updated threat assessment detailing that the President announcing this sensitive travel had significantly increased the danger to the delegation and to the troops, security, and other officials supporting the trip," Hammill added. "This morning, we learned that the Administration had leaked the commercial travel plans as well."
Hammill said the delegation has decided to postpone the trip "in light of the grave threats caused by the president's action."
The decision is not just about the safety of the lawmakers.
Hammill said they did not want "to further endanger our troops and security personnel, or the other travelers on the flights."
"Whether here or abroad, the speaker always thanks our troops, diplomats and intelligence community for their heroism and service," Hammill said. "The Speaker commends her colleagues on the delegation, who personally and officially have dedicated their lives to protect and defend the American people."
