Pence Abruptly Cancels Trip; Official Says ‘No Cause for Alarm’

(Bloomberg) -- Vice President Mike Pence canceled a planned trip to discuss opioid abuse in New Hampshire on Tuesday, his spokeswoman said, adding that it was “no cause for alarm.”

A White House official said there were no medical issues with President Donald Trump or Pence.

“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, the vice president's spokeswoman said on Twitter.

Pence was scheduled to speak at a drug rehabilitation facility. But soon after boarding a plane at Joint Base Andrews, just outside Washington, Pence got back off and returned to the White House, said his chief of staff, Marc Short, who was with the vice president.

“The plane never took off,” Short said. “It was never diverted. It was never turned back around.”

Short said Trump and Pence “briefly” discussed the issue that prompted the change of plans.

In response to questions from reporters, Short said the reason for Pence's return wasn't related to national security or personal health issues.

Short said Pence looks forward to rescheduling the trip.

To contact the reporter on this story: Alyza Sebenius in Washington at asebenius@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Alex Wayne at awayne3@bloomberg.net, Justin Blum, Joshua Gallu

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