WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing growing disruption and nationwide pressure, President Donald Trump on Friday signed a bill to temporarily reopen the U.S. government for three weeks — stepping back from his demand for border wall funding before agencies resumed operations.
Standing alone in the White House Rose Garden, Trump announced he would approve legislation funding shuttered departments through February 15, giving Congress more time to negotiate. The short-term deal includes no new money for the border wall, effectively ending the longest government shutdown in American history.
Both the Senate and House quickly passed the bill unanimously before Trump signed it into law late Friday. The White House instructed federal agencies to resume normal operations immediately, calling for furloughed workers to return to their jobs.
Pressure Mounts Amid Travel Delays and Missed Paychecks
The president’s decision came on the 35th day of the partial shutdown, following severe delays at major airports and a second missed payday for hundreds of thousands of federal employees.
Trump insisted the move was not a retreat, tweeting later:
“This was in no way a concession… It was taking care of millions of people hurt by the Shutdown. If no deal is made in 21 days, it’s off to the races!”
The shutdown ended under the conditions Democrats demanded from the start — reopen the government first, then discuss border security funding.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said, “The president thought he could crack Democrats, and he didn’t. I hope it’s a lesson for him.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi added, “Our unity is our power — something the president underestimated.”
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A Temporary Deal and Uncertain Future
Despite reopening the government, Trump maintained his case for a border wall and warned that he might shut down the government again if no agreement was reached.
“If we don’t get a fair deal from Congress, the government will either shut down again on Feb. 15 or I will use the powers under the Constitution to address this emergency,” he said.
Trump has previously suggested declaring a national emergency to fund the wall without Congress, though such a move would face significant legal challenges.
A bipartisan committee of lawmakers from both chambers will now negotiate border security funding in hopes of avoiding another shutdown.
Back Pay and State of the Union Delay
As part of the deal, approximately 800,000 federal workers who missed paychecks will receive back pay as soon as possible. The administration is also expected to announce a new date for Trump’s State of the Union address, which was postponed during the shutdown.
Political Fallout and Conservative Reaction
The decision drew backlash from conservative commentators who had urged Trump to hold his ground.
Political analyst Ann Coulter criticized him on Twitter, calling him “the biggest wimp ever to serve as president.”
Democrats remain firm in opposing wall funding. When asked about potential negotiations, Pelosi reiterated, “I have been very clear — there will be no money for a wall.”
Airports, Lawmakers, and a Turning Point
Friday’s breakthrough followed chaos at airports such as LaGuardia (NY) and Newark (NJ), where flights were delayed up to 90 minutes due to staffing shortages. The disruption threatened to worsen as Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport prepared for an influx of Super Bowl visitors.
The Senate’s chaplain even opened Friday’s session with a prayer for guidance “in this hour of national turmoil.”
Before Trump’s announcement, both Republican and Democratic proposals to reopen the government failed in the Senate. The Republican bill sought $5.7 billion for the wall, while the Democratic alternative would have reopened the government without wall funding through February 8.
The political standoff left federal workers struggling, with many missing two consecutive paychecks and turning to food banks and community aid.
For the original Associated Press coverage, visit AP News.
