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President Trump’s latest meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her Democratic colleagues did not go well.
The Associated Press reports Trump mocked Pelosi and called her a “third-grade politician” which caused her to walk from the meeting.
Pelosi claims Trump has a meltdown and refused to stick to debating the merits of his decision to pull troops from Syria, among other things.
The Associated Press reports the White House meeting “ended abruptly with a walkout at the White House.”
“It’s a familiar ritual, with Trump and congressional leaders meeting on official business, only to see the session devolve into colorful, name-calling commentary that’s a new kind of addition to the history books,” the Associated Press continues. “But this time, against the backdrop of the fast-moving impeachment inquiry, Pelosi arrived not just as the leader of the opposing party but as the speaker who could determine Trump’s political future.”
At the meeting, Trump reportedly boasted that he stood up to Turkish President Recep Erdogan through a “nasty” letter.
According to the report, Trump’s monologue consisted up him explaining that he did not want Turkey to invade Northern Syria—where they are currently attacking the Kurdish forces who previously fought alongside U.S. forces to defeat ISIS.
The Associated Press reports the meeting unfolded with Trump and Pelosi bickering before Pelosi walked out:
Pelosi mentioned the House vote and Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader, started to read the president a quote from former Defense Secretary James Mattis on the need to keep U.S. troops in Syria to prevent a resurgent of Islamic State fighters.
But Trump cut Schumer off, complaining that Mattis was “the world’s most overrated general. You know why? He wasn’t tough enough.” Trump went on, “I captured ISIS.”
Pelosi explained to Trump that Russia has always wanted a “foothold in the Middle East,” and now it has one with the U.S. withdrawal, according to a senior Democratic aide who was also granted anonymity.
“All roads with you lead to Putin,” the speaker said.
The president reportedly defended his actions, telling Pelosi: “I hate ISIS more than you do.”
“You don’t know that,” Pelosi answered.
And:
Schumer intervened at one point and said, “Is your plan to rely on the Syrians and the Turks?”
Trump replied, “Our plan is to keep the American people safe.”
Pelosi said: “That’s not a plan. That’s a goal.”
Trump turned to Pelosi and complained about former President Barack Obama’s “red line” over Syria. According to Schumer, he then called her “a third-rate politician.”
At that point, the genteel Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the House Majority Leader, interjected, “This is not useful.”
Pelosi and Hoyer stood and left the meeting. As they did, Trump said, “Goodbye, we’ll see you at the polls.”
