Vice President Mike Pence has abruptly canceled a planned trip to New Hampshire, but the White House and his office refuse to say why.
White House spokesman Judd Deere said only that, “Something came up and the VP needed to be in D.C.,” adding: “there is no cause for alarm.”
Something came up that required the @VP to remain in Washington, DC. It’s no cause for alarm. He looks forward to rescheduling the trip to New Hampshire very soon.
— Alyssa Farah (@VPPressSec) July 2, 2019
One senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the situation, said the issue was not national security-related. Another senior administration official said it was not related to any kind of health issue impacting Pence or President Donald Trump.
An ABC News reporter also said that his event “was cancelled because something came up and he had to be back at the White House,” and an “official says it is not a cause for alarm.”
I am told that @VP Pence’s New Hampshire opiod event was cancelled because something came up and he had to be back at the White House. Official says it is not a cause for alarm.
— Katherine Faulders (@KFaulders) July 2, 2019
Pence was slated to head to New Hampshire to talk about addiction recovery.
“According to a statement released by his office Monday, Pence will visit the Granite Recovery Center headquarters in Salem Tuesday afternoon. He plans to participate in a roundtable discussion with former patients and alumni of the center before delivering remarks on the opioid crisis and illegal drug flow in New Hampshire,” the Union-Leader reported.
At Salem NH opioid event w the @VP, spokesperson just came onto podium and announced event today is canceled because #AirForce2 was called back to Washington DC so Pence could attend to an emergency. #fitn @NBC10Boston @NECN #mapoli
— Sean Colahan (@SeanColahan) July 2, 2019
Pence last visited New Hampshire in 2018.
In 2016, a plane carrying the future vice president skid off a runway, and there were no injuries.
“So thankful everyone on our plane is safe,” Pence said on Twitter after the incident. “Grateful for our first responders & the concern & prayers of so many.”
Other details about the incident are not clear.
Epoch Times reporter Jack Phillips, The Associated Press, and Reuters contributed to this report.
