WASHINGTON _ In the latest escalation of a war between branches of government, Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday informed President Donald Trump on Wednesday that she will not host him in the House chamber next Tuesday so he can deliver his State of the Union address.
"I am writing to inform you that the House of Representatives will not consider a concurrent resolution authorizing the President's State of the Union address in the House Chamber until government has opened," the California Democrat said. "Again, I look forward to welcoming you to the House on a mutually agreeable date for this address when government has been opened."
There is nothing in statute or the Constitution that states the president must deliver the State of the Union as a speech or at any particular venue, much less the Capitol.
Trump was asked about Pelosi's decision by reporters at the White House during a health care event, and he used it to continue his labeling her party as beholden to its left-wing faction.
"I'm not surprised," he said. "It's really a shame what's happening with the Democrats."
White House officials did not immediately announce any possible new plan for Tuesday night. "Stay tuned," Communications Director Bill Shine told reporters.
House Minority Whip Steve Scalise called Pelosi's decision "a mistake."
"Now she wants to hold the State of the Union hostage? It's unprecedented in the history of our country," the Louisiana Republican said.
Scalise said Trump should hold the State of a Union in a different location.
While he noted that he has shared some ideas for alternative venues with Trump, he declined to share those with reporters.
