Trump announces deal to reopen government without $5 billion in border wall funding


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.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

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."
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.
-
Court allows Trump’s Texas troops to head to Chicago
Speed Read Trump is ‘using our service members as pawns in his illegal effort to militarize our nation’s cities,’ said Gov. J.B. Pritzker
-
Judge bars Trump’s National Guard moves in Oregon
Speed Read In an emergency hearing, a federal judge blocked President Donald Trump from sending National Guard troops into Portland
-
Museum head ousted after Trump sword gift denial
Speed Read Todd Arrington, who led the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, denied the Trump administration a sword from the collection as a gift for King Charles
-
Trump declares ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels
speed read This provides a legal justification for recent lethal military strikes on three alleged drug trafficking boats
-
Supreme Court rules for Fed’s Cook in Trump feud
Speed Read Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook can remain in her role following Trump’s attempts to oust her
-
Judge rules Trump illegally targeted Gaza protesters
Speed Read The Trump administration’s push to arrest and deport international students for supporting Palestine is deemed illegal
-
Trump: US cities should be military ‘training grounds’
Speed Read In a hastily assembled summit, Trump said he wants the military to fight the ‘enemy within’ the US
-
US government shuts down amid health care standoff
Speed Read Democrats said they won’t vote for a deal that doesn’t renew Affordable Care Act health care subsidies