Marc Thiessen, a former speechwriter to President George W. Bush, pointed out Wednesday that in addition to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's highly publicized stunt of ripping apart President Trump’s State of the Union speech the moment he finished, she also threw in one more snub at the beginning.
“Overlooked: Tradition holds that the speaker of the House introduces the president with the words ‘Members of Congress it is my high honor and distinct privilege to introduce the president of the United States,’” he tweeted. “Pelosi left out "high honor and distinct privilege."
Overlooked: Tradition holds that the speaker of the House introduces the president with the words "Members of Congress it is my high honor and distinct privilege to introduce the president of the United States." Pelosi left out "high honor and distinct privilege."
— Marc Thiessen (@marcthiessen) February 5, 2020
All Pelosi said in announcing the president was: “Members of Congress, the President of the United States.”
WATCH: After Speaker Pelosi introduces President Trump to the House chamber, some lawmakers break out into chants of "four more years." #SOTU pic.twitter.com/LYkWxGxUqf
— PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) February 5, 2020
When President Clinton delivered his State of the Union address in 1999 during his impeachment trial, then-House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Illinois) told his House colleagues in a letter that Clinton's address should be received "soberly and with the dignity that befits the United States Congress."
And despite voting to impeach Clinton, he also introduced him during the State of the Union according to protocol: "Members of Congress, I have the high privilege and the distinct honor of presenting to you the president of the United States."
