Trump cancels Pelosi’s trip to a war zone out of sheer pique

“Sheer pique” being semi-French for “because he’s a colossal asshole, with an emotional age of approximately three.”

Dear Madame Speaker:

Due to the Shutdown, I am sorry to inform you that your trip to Brussels, Egypt, and Afghanistan has been postponed. We will reschedule this seven-day excursion when the Shutdown is over. In light of the 800,000 great American workers not receiving pay, I am sure you would agree that postponing this public relations event is totally appropriate. I also feel that, during this period, it would be better if you were in Washington negotiating with me and joining the Strong Border Security movement to end the Shutdown. Obviously, if you would like to make your journey by flying commercial, that would certainly be your prerogative.

I look forward to seeing you soon and even more forward to watching our open and dangerous Southern Border finally receive the attention, funding, and security it so desperately deserves!

When I first saw this letter I assumed it was some sort of parody, which just illustrates how easy it is to forget what this time line is actually like.

The military, which was going to transport Pelosi, is not affected by the partial shutdown, so there isn’t even the pretense of a rationale for this. (ETA: Also, the trip was apparently secret for security reasons, but not anymore!).

Of course this will allow the pearl clutching brigade to start keening about Lost Civility, instead of paying some attention to Found Fascism.