WASHINGTON — The White House is moving forward with plans for President Donald Trump to deliver his State of the Union speech next week in front of a joint session of Congress — despite a letter from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi requesting he delay it.
The White House sent an email to the House Sergeant-at-Arms on Tuesday asking to schedule a walk-through for the speech in anticipation of a Jan. 29 delivery, according to a White House official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the planning.
At the same time, the White House is continuing to work on contingency plans and has been considering potential alternatives, including a rally, as a back-up venue.
A previously scheduled Capitol walk-through was canceled last week just before Pelosi sent her letter to Trump suggesting that he either deliver the speech in writing or delay it until after the partial government shutdown is resolved, citing security concerns.