President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he will deliver the customary State of the Union speech on January 29, telling Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi that he intends to push forward as had been planned before the government shutdown grew to unprecedented lengths.
Trump's insistence on going where he is not welcome drew howls from the left, with many encouraging Pelosi to have her Sergeant at Arms physically bar the president from the floor of the House.
Democratic strategist Chris Hahn offered his own suggestion via Twitter Wednesday: Pelosi should allow Trump to deliver his speech to an empty Congress without any cameras present.
"Ban the media and all recording devices and clear the gallery," he suggested. "And don’t show up to hear it."
It remains unclear what Pelosi can or will do to prevent Trump from delivering a speech after he was asked not to.
Both houses of Congress must pass a concurrent resolution for Trump to address them. That resolution has not been passed.
Meanwhile, Hosue Minority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) said that he is "pleased" with Trump's threat to delivery the speech without being asked.
