West Virginia governor invites Trump to give SOTU in state Capitol

Gov. Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) invited President Trump to deliver his State of the Union address in Charleston as the White House and House Democrats feud over the speech’s arrangements. 

“I called the President yesterday to convey our invitation for him to come to West Virginia to give the State of the Union Address in our State Capitol. Giving the speech in a state full of people who love their country would truly reflect his focus on the forgotten men and women of America,” Justice said in a statement Wednesday.

{mosads}“No matter where he chooses to have the speech, I want the President to know that he is always welcome in the Great State of West Virginia.”

Justice joined North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore (R) and Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield (R) in offering their respective state capitols as possible venues for Trump’s address.

The propositions come after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) asked Trump to postpone the address, scheduled for Jan. 29, until after the partial government shutdown ended, citing security concerns. Pelosi has near-full control of the House floor, where the speech is traditionally given.

However, the White House confirmed Tuesday it sent a letter to the House Sergeant-at-Arms asking to schedule a dry run for the annual speech, signaling it may disregard Pelosi’s request to reschedule it. 

“We have no announcement at this time, but Nancy Pelosi does not dictate to the president when he will or will not have a conversation with the American people,” White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said on Fox News.

In what was perceived by some as retaliation against Pelosi, Trump canceled a congressional delegation trip to Afghanistan to meet with troops stationed there.

The White House is currently in a quagmire over the record-long partial government shutdown, which entered its 33rd day Wednesday. Trump has demanded that $5.7 for a border wall be included in any spending bill to reopen the government, though Democrats have said they will not negotiate until the government is reopened.

The feud between Trump and Pelosi has gotten particularly personal, which the California Democrat suggesting that border wall funding is an issue of “manhood” for the president, while Trump has excoriated Pelosi on social media.