President Donald Trump criticized House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday for attempting to visit troops in Afghanistan as the government shutdown continues with no end in sight. "Why would Nancy Pelosi leave the Country with other Democrats on a seven day excursion when 800,000 great people are not getting paid," the president tweeted. Story Continued Below Trump "postponed" Pelosi's congressional trip in apparent retaliation after the House speaker on Wednesday requested the president delay his State of the Union address while the government is still partially shutdown. There have been no breakthroughs for a deal between the White House and congressional Democrats to end the longest shutdown in U.S. history. So far, Trump has refused to back down from his demand for $5.7 billion for a wall along the southern border, and Democrats are refusing to meet his demand. There are nearly 800,000 federal workers who have not been receiving pay, although Trump has promised they will get back pay … [Read more...] about Trump criticizes Pelosi for attempting to see troops in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Pelosi cancels Afghanistan trip, cites Trump ‘leak’
Matthew Lee, Catherine Lucey, Zeke Miller and Lisa Mascaro Associated Press Published 11:04 AM EST Jan 18, 2019 Washington – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday canceled her plans to travel by commercial plane to visit U.S. troops in Afghanistan, saying President Donald Trump had caused a security risk by talking about the trip. It was the latest twist in what has become a Washington game of brinkmanship between Pelosi and Trump, playing out against the stalled negotiations over how to end the partial government shutdown. Earlier in the week, Pelosi had asked Trump to reschedule his Jan. 29 State of the Union address, citing security issues at a time when the Homeland Security Department and other agencies remain unfunded. Trump responded by canceling the military plane that was to have carried Pelosi and a congressional delegation to Afghanistan on the previously undisclosed troop visit. Trump suggested she travel by commercial plane instead. Trump had belittled the … [Read more...] about Pelosi cancels Afghanistan trip, cites Trump ‘leak’
Pelosi’s Office Accuses Trump Administration of Leaking New Afghanistan Travel Plans
The office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday that she's pushed back a congressional trip to Afghanistan she was attempting to organize after the Trump administration leaked that she was trying to make the trip on a commercial airline. Trump had denied Pelosi and other members of Congress a military plane to make the trip, citing the shutdown, but suggested she could still fly commercially if she wanted to. That move came after Pelosi asked if Trump would reconsider giving his State of the Union address at the Capitol, given that many government workers responsible for security aren't being paid. Senior American delegations to war zones are usually planned and executed under strict secrecy, since reporting those plans ahead of time would tip-off the enemy on where to attack high-value targets. Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill said in a statement that Trump's revelation of Pelosi's travel plans on Thursday increased the danger to all involved. He said that the delegation had been … [Read more...] about Pelosi’s Office Accuses Trump Administration of Leaking New Afghanistan Travel Plans
California man killed in Taliban truck bombing in Afghanistan
A California man was among those killed in a powerful truck bomb attack against a heavily fortified foreign compound in Kabul this week, officials said Wednesday, as the government continued investigating the blast site. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the bomb which detonated near the Green Village compound in east Kabul on Monday. Afghan authorities have said at least four people were killed and 113 wounded. On Wednesday an official at the U.S. embassy in Kabul said an American citizen was among the fatalities, but gave no further information.CBS Los Angeles identified the slain American 55-year-old Manoharan "Paul" Kamaleson, of Arcadia. CBS L.A. quoted authorities who had been informed by Kamaleson's family that he was among the victims.Kamaleson was the chief operating officer of The First MicroFinance Bank in Afghanistan, and was doing development work in the country alongside non-governmental organizations. The powerful blast ripped through surrounding … [Read more...] about California man killed in Taliban truck bombing in Afghanistan
Fort Carson soldiers return from Afghanistan; one meets infant daughter for first time
Army Cpl. James Loder’s daughter, Emersyn, was 5½ months old when he finally met her Tuesday.Loder, who deployed to Afghanistan in May, didn’t want to miss her birth, so he had called in on FaceTime.“Thank God for technology,” said his wife, Macy Loder.Live music and loud chatter filled the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center at Fort Carson as hundreds of people waited for about 175 soldiers to walk through the doors, home for the first time in months. Close 1 of 8 Caption + Cpl. James Loder kisses his wife, Macy Loder, as she holds his 5-month-old daughter, Emersyn Loder, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019, during a homecoming for about 175 soldiers from the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at the William "Bill" Reed Special Event Center at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs. The soldiers were deployed to Afghanistan in April 2018. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) CHRISTIAN MURDOCK THE GAZETTE Facebook … [Read more...] about Fort Carson soldiers return from Afghanistan; one meets infant daughter for first time