Golden State Today

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was forced to cancel an in-person dinner after she faced backlash from individuals claiming she wasn’t following COVID-19 guidelines.

Pelosi had the dinner scheduled for new members. She claimed that the tables would be “very spaced” and would comply with social distancing guidelines, according to the Daily Caller.

Pelosi said the ventilation had been enhanced and signed off on by the Capitol physician, according to the Daily Caller.

However, the dinner came under fire because it still posed risks and since state officials across the country have had to restrict indoor dining, many felt the dinner was hypocritical of Pelosi.

NBC News congressional correspondent Leigh Ann Caldwell tweeted a photo of the tables set up in the dining area.

“House Dem and GOP leaders are holding respective dinners for new members,” Caldwell tweeted. “@SpeakerPelosi told me it’s safe. ‘It’s very spaced,’ she said and there is enhanced ventilation and the Capitol physician signed off.”

After facing backlash over the event, Pelosi canceled it and chose, instead, to do boxed meals, The Daily Caller reported.

Pelosi’s own congressional district has had indoor dining banned, while other leaders throughout the country had also banned indoor dining. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot had even suggested for Chicagoans to cancel their Thanksgiving plans and stay home.

“Members-elect are now picking up their boxed meals and departing the Capitol,” Drew Hammill, Pelosi’s deputy chief of staff tweeted. "There is no group dinner. Members-elect are in DC already for orientation.”

Hammill said the office followed COVID-19 guidelines.

“Our office strictly follows the guidance of the Office of Attending Physician, including for this dinner,” Hammill tweeted. “To be a further model for the nation, this event has been modified to allow Members-elect to pick up their meals to go in a socially-distanced manner.”