Trump-Pelosi clash over trip abroad and State of the Union unleashes flood of memes

A US Air Force bus parks on the US Capitol Plaza after being called back following US President Donald Trump decision to scrap Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi's foreign travel on January 19, 2019 in Washington. Click through the gallery for reactions. less A US Air Force bus parks on the US Capitol Plaza after being called back following US President Donald Trump decision to scrap Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi's foreign travel on January 19, 2019 in Washington. ... more Photo: ELODIE CUZIN, AFP/Getty Images Photo: ELODIE CUZIN, AFP/Getty Images Image 1 of / 39 Caption Close Trump-Pelosi clash over trip abroad and State of the Union unleashes flood of memes 1 / 39 Back to Gallery

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., dealt a blow to President Donald Trump Wednesday by telling him he can't deliver the State of the Union while the government is shut down, for security reasons. Trump was at first silent — "very silent," Pelosi said Wednesday.

MORE: Trump denies Pelosi aircraft for planned trip abroad

But on Thursday, Trump parried with a letter saying he is preventing Pelosi from using military aircraft to travel on a planned trip to Brussels, Afghanistan and Egypt (Pelosi's chief of staff Drew Hammill has since tweeted that the visit to Afghanistan did not include a stop in Egypt, and was intended to thank the troops, meet with NATO commanders, and get briefings from the front lines).

Click through the gallery above for reactions to the exchange

"Due to the Shutdown, I am sorry to inform you that your trip to Brussels, Egypt, and Afghanistan has been postponed. We will reschedule this seven-day excursion when the Shutdown is over," wrote Trump in a letter to Pelosi. "I am sure you would agree that postponing this public relations event is appropriate."

"Obviously, if you would like to make your journey by flying commercial, that would certainly be your prerogative," he continued.

ALSO: Pelosi moves to belittle and undercut Trump in shutdown fight

The exchange quickly launched a flood of memes and reactions on social media, with many rank and file Republicans cheering the move, while others condemning it as petty and dangerous, particularly since, as speaker, Pelosi is second in line for the presidency after Vice President Mike Pence.

"Trump responds with a pea-shooter of petty," wrote Twitter user @mmpadellan.

"BOOM!!! Trump schooled Pelosi like a BOSS," disagreed Patricia Dickson.

Some members of Congress were also at the ready with a chorus of opinions.

"One sophomoric response does not deserve another," wrote Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on Twitter, calling Pelosi's letter on the State of the Union "very irresponsible and blatantly political." Graham added Trump denying Pelosi military travel to Afghanistan was "also inappropriate."

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said Trump was acting like a "fifth grader."

"This guy is so unbelievably petty," said Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va.

Many raised the point that disclosing the itinerary of the trip, and urging the Speaker to fly commercial, raised security concerns.

"We keep trips by government officials to war zones secret for a reason. Trump's action to publicize Speaker Pelosi's trip literally puts the safety of members of Congress and their staff at risk," wrote Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla.

Some thought the move would ultimately prove to be self-sabotaging.

"Cancelling Pelosi's overseas trip so she can stay in the Capitol and keep making Trump's life hell is quite the strategy," tweeted Ally Maynard.

Filipa Ioannou is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at fioannou@sfchronicle.com and follow her on Twitter