Just cancel it, it has no purpose..

Pelosi asks Trump to reschedule SOTU because of the shutdown

The House speaker is citing security concerns, but Democrats also don't want to give Trump a platform to blame them for the shutdown.

By HEATHER CAYGLE and RACHAEL BADE

Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday asked President Donald Trump to reschedule his State of the Union address — or deliver it in writing — as long as the government remains shut down.

Pelosi said the partial shutdown has hamstrung both the U.S. Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security, potentially harming the security planning that precedes the primetime address.

"Sadly, given the security concerns and unless government re-opens this week, I suggest that we work together to determine another suitable date after government has re-opened for this address or for you to consider delivering your State of the Union address in writing to the Congress on January 29th," Pelosi wrote in a letter to Trump.

Publicly, Democrats plan to argue that the parties need to focus on addressing the shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history. But privately, they also don’t want to give Trump a major platform to blame them for the shutdown when Trump's demand for billions in wall funding has been the main driver, according to a Democratic lawmaker close to leadership.

Staff have been discussing the idea of postponing the State of the Union for months, with some expressing concern about scheduling travel plans for lawmakers and guests as well.

The announcement comes as a group of bipartisan lawmakers in the Problem Solvers Caucus is set to meet with Trump on Wednesday to discuss border security. Democrats are rallying fellow members to stay together as the White House tries to peel off members known for cutting deals.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer attended a closed-door caucus meeting with House Democrats just as Pelosi made the announcement on the State of the Union address on Wednesday. He told them to stay unified in their opposition.