White House puts formal nix on congressional trips after grounding Pelosi's flight

The White House put top department officials on notice today that they are not allowed to spend money or use planes to help lawmakers travel on congressional delegation trips.

In a memo to the heads of executive departments and agencies, the White House's acting budget director said President Donald Trump asked him to convey that "under no circumstances during a government shutdown" will any federal funds or government aircraft — rented, owned or chartered — be used to support any congressional delegation "without the express written approval of the White House Chief of Staff."

Federal officials can still provide logistical and security support for those delegations, acting OMB Director Russell Vought wrote.

The guidance comes after Trump made a public show Thursday of stopping House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats from using military aircraft to fly to Afghanistan.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/white-house-puts-formal-nix-on-congressional-trips-after-grounding-pelosis-flight/ar-BBSr73X?li=BBnb7Kz

Can he legally do that.