Trump: I’ll Give State of the Union Address When Shutdown Is Over

President Donald Trump says he will now wait until the partial government shutdown is over to deliver the State of the Union address, apparently backing down from earlier statements that hinted at an “alternative” to the address traditionally delivered in the House. In a tweet late Wednesday night, Trump described his decision to hold off on the address as the “prerogative” of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who officially blocked him from delivering the SOTU in the House chambers due to the shutdown. “As the Shutdown was going on, Nancy Pelosi asked me to give the State of the Union Address. I agreed. She then changed her mind because of the Shutdown, suggesting a later date,” he wrote. “This is her prerogative - I will do the Address when the Shutdown is over. I am not looking for an alternative venue for the SOTU Address because there is no venue that can compete with the history, tradition and importance of the House Chamber. I look forward to giving a ‘great’ State of the Union Address in the near future!”