Reality about SOTU: There is no requirement that it be given on or before Jan 29

[EffieBlack]

The State of the Union message need be given only "from time to time" buy not on any date certain or at any specific intervals.

So Trump can point to no rationale for refusing to wait until the government opens up to give it. He has no pressing information that must be delivered to Congress on or before January 29 - especially since half of the branch he would deliver it to is saying, "Naw. We're good. We can wait."

[Eliot Rosewater]

1. Pelosi is a rock star. God am I glad she is Speaker!

[Sherman A1]

2. There is no requirement that it be given during a televised speech

there is no requirement that it be delivered in person to Congress, If I read it correctly it only states that

Section 3
He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient;

[dsc]

3. It is almost always later than that in the first year of an administration

For example Bill Clinton's first was on 17 Feb.

[EffieBlack]

4. That wasn't a State of the Union address

Most presidents don't give a State of the Union address in their first year. They often give a speech to a joint session of Congress within a couple of months are inauguration, but those aren't official State of the Union messages.

[LiberalFighter]

5. Why even bother giving it when we all know is the state of the union.

Ef up. Russia interference, screwed up trade agreements, reckless tariffs, Isis still a threat.

[onenote]

6. Of course he can point to a rationale for not waiting

He can say its important to give the SOTU now because the state of the union is being adversely impacted by those mean old, open borders loving, soft on crime and terrorism Democrats.

I didn't say he could point a good rationale. But it's not hard to figure out how he would try to make his case for not postponing (along with, I suspect, a statement he asks DHS and the Secret Service to make stating that there are no security issues with his making a speech to a joint session).

[DeminPennswoods]

7. The Speaker invites the President and sets the date

nt