Trump announces deal to reopen government without $5 billion in border wall funding
![Donald Trump.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zzcn3uxLLm2f4E98bTy8HA-415-80.jpg)
The government shutdown is finally poised to come to an end — temporarily, at least.
President Trump on Friday announced a deal to reopen the government for three weeks, during which time Congress can negotiate on immigration and border security issues. Trump since December had pledged he would not reopen the government until Democrats agreed to give him $5.7 billion to fund his proposed wall along the southern border.
But now, he has backed off. The proposal Trump is now supporting would continue spending at its current levels, meaning there will still be money for border security as there was in 2018, but not the $5.7 billion Trump wants for the wall. Congress will now need to vote on the proposal, and it is expected to pass, since congressional leaders reportedly worked on the agreement with Trump.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trump had previously shied away from reopening the government without any guarantee that Democrats would agree to border wall funding once he had done so. But his announcement came as the shutdown situation was becoming so dire that flights around the country were being delayed because of a shortage in air traffic controllers. CNN reports the flight issues played a "key role" in Trump's decision Friday. The president had just one day earlier suggested he was sticking to his demands, writing, "We will not cave!"
If the agreement moves forward, three weeks of negotiations will take place. Trump seemed to suggest he expects Democrats to fund his wall, claiming both parties have "finally and fully acknowledged that having barriers or fences or walls will be an important part of the solution." But if a deal isn't reached that is to Trump's liking by Feb. 15, the shutdown could simply resume. Trump also suggested he may declare a national emergency at that point, saying, "I have a very powerful alternative, but I didn't want to use it at this time. Hopefully, it will be unnecessary."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Escape seaside in Newport, Rhode Island
The Week Recommends For the quintessential New England experience, head to the Classic Coast
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The long-awaited return of the college football video game
In the Spotlight EA Sports' 'College Football 25' is the first installment of the series in 11 years
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: July 25, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Menendez convicted of bribery, fraud, and extortion
Speed Read The New Jersey Democratic Senator was found guilty in a federal corruption trial
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Florida judge dismisses Trump documents case
Speed Read Judge Aileen Cannon ruled that special counsel Jack Smith was improperly appointed
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Hamas says military chief survived Israeli strike
Speed Read An Israeli bombing failed to hit its intended target, military commander Mohammed Deif, but killed at least 90 Palestinians
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
First Israeli report on Oct. 7 finds 'severe mistakes and errors' in IDF response
Speed Reads Israeli military admits failures in response to deadly Hamas attack that triggered Gaza war
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden saw neurologist during physicals
Speed Read Following his bad debate performance, many are asking questions about the president's brain
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Russia bombs Kyiv children's hospital
Speed Reads The daytime barrage interrupted heart surgeries and killed at least 40 people
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published