Donald Trump to give State of the Union address ‘when the shutdown is over’

House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi sent a letter to Trump that her chamber would not sign off on the annual speech during the partial government shutdown.

US President Donald Trump announced late Wednesday he would give the State of the Union address after the ongoing government shutdown ends, after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi effectively blocked him from delivering the annual speech in Congress.

US President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable meeting with conservative leaders at the White House on January 23, 2019, to discuss the security and humanitarian crisis at the southern border. (AFP)

“As the Shutdown was going on, Nancy Pelosi asked me to give the State of the Union Address. I agreed,” the president tweeted.

“She then changed her mind because of the Shutdown, suggesting a later date. This is her prerogative - I will do the Address when the Shutdown is over.”

Trump also said he was not looking for an alternative venue because none “can compete with the history, tradition and importance of the House Chamber,” adding he looked forwarded to giving a “’great’” address “in the near future.”