Trump says he still plans to deliver the State of the Union on the House floor next week

President Trump still plans to deliver the State of the Union on the House floor on Jan. 29 in spite of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif) objections.
In a letter to Pelosi Wednesday, Trump said that there are "no security concerns" with having the event during the government shutdown. This is what Pelosi had cited in her letter to Trump last week asking to postpone the speech, but Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said having the event on Jan. 29 was not a problem. "Therefore, I will be honoring your invitation and fulfilling my Constitutional duty" next Tuesday, Trump wrote.
Trump concluded by telling Pelosi that "it would be so very sad for our Country if the State of the Union were not delivered on time, on schedule, and very importantly, on location!"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The president cannot actually deliver his speech on the House floor next week unless the House passes a resolution approving it. ABC News reported that Republicans were encouraging Trump to announce his intention to speak next Tuesday, therefore requiring her to actually disinvite him if she wants a delay. If she were to do so, the plan is reportedly for Trump to instead speak at a rally on Tuesday. But for now, the ball's in Pelosi's court. Brendan Morrow
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
5 fundamentally funny cartoons about the US Constitution
Cartoons Artists take on Sharpie edits, wear and tear, and more
-
In search of paradise in Thailand's western isles
The Week Recommends 'Unspoiled spots' remain, providing a fascinating insight into the past
-
The fertility crisis: can Trump make America breed again?
Talking Point The self-styled 'fertilisation president', has been soliciting ideas on how to get Americans to have more babies
-
Trump taps Fox News' Pirro for DC attorney post
speed read The president has named Fox News host Jeanine Pirro to be the top federal prosecutor for Washington, replacing acting US Attorney Ed Martin
-
Trump, UK's Starmer outline first post-tariff deal
speed read President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Kier Starmer struck a 'historic' agreement to eliminate some of the former's imposed tariffs
-
Fed leaves rates unchanged as Powell warns on tariffs
speed read The Federal Reserve says the risks of higher inflation and unemployment are increasing under Trump's tariffs
-
Denmark to grill US envoy on Greenland spying report
speed read The Trump administration ramped up spying on Greenland, says reporting by The Wall Street Journal
-
Supreme Court allows transgender troop ban
speed read The US Supreme Court will let the Trump administration begin executing its ban on transgender military service members
-
Hollywood confounded by Trump's film tariff idea
speed read President Trump proposed a '100% tariff' on movies 'produced in foreign lands'
-
Trump offers migrants $1,000 to 'self-deport'
speed read The Department of Homeland Security says undocumented immigrants can leave the US in a more 'dignified way'
-
Trump is not sure he must follow the Constitution
speed read When asked about due process for migrants in a TV interview, President Trump said he didn't know whether he had to uphold the Fifth Amendment