Trump announced an end to the longest shutdown in United States history today in a Rose Garden address, saying he has agreed to a Continuing Resolution funding the federal government for three weeks with no funding for his wall (or steel barrier if you prefer).
Trump closes by threatening to declare a natl emergency: "We really have no choice but to build a powerful wall or steel barrier. If we don't get a fair deal from Congress, the government will either shut down or on February 15, again, or I will use the powers afforded to me." pic.twitter.com/qGBXFvfljF
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 25, 2019
Trump also threatened another shutdown or a declaration of a national emergency if there’s no funding for a wall after the end of the three-week period.
During the address, Trump offered his usual lurid descriptions of imagined violent crimes against women if the wall is not put in place. It was the same fear-mongering strategy he tried in advance of the 2018 midterm elections that resulted in a rout for Republicans.
The prompter said “[Talk about Human Trafficking]” then stopped. Trump ad libbed the entire thing. https://t.co/Sv5XIPCSQH
— Jordan Fabian (@Jordanfabian) January 25, 2019
In re-opening the government with no wall funding, Trump effectively caved to Democrats who stood firm supporting a clean bill to re-open the government while border security negotiations continue. The move comes just a day after Trump tweeted that “We will not Cave!” on funding for the wall.
Nancy just said she “just doesn’t understand why?” Very simply, without a Wall it all doesn’t work. Our Country has a chance to greatly reduce Crime, Human Trafficking, Gangs and Drugs. Should have been done for decades. We will not Cave!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 24, 2019
The agreement is nearly identical to a bill that already passed the GOP-controlled Senate unanimously and that Trump had indicated he supported, before criticism from right-wing media caused him to backtrack.
So Trump is agreeing to the EXACT SAME DEAL he rejected 35 days ago. What a debacle. I'm so so sorry, America.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) January 25, 2019
Trump saw his approval rating plummet during the month the government was shut down, notching some of his lowest numbers to date from several polls. Speaker Pelosi’s numbers, on the other hand, rose somewhat.
If there is in fact going to be a deal, the numbers are clear. Trump lost and was losing multiple points off his approval rating. Pelosi was actually slightly gaining points on her's. Voters overwhelmingly blamed Trump/GOP for the shutdown. Trump lost the shutdown. Pelosi won.
— (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) January 25, 2019
It’s an unambiguous loss for Trump and one that makes his (unearned) reputation as a master negotiator and strategist an obvious lie.
To build a wall Trump has:
-Delivered primetime Oval Office address
-Toured the border
-Shut the government down for 35 days
-Warned of rapists, murderers, drugs, terrorists coming from MexicoRight now Trump is folding to Democrats having secured $0 for the wall
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) January 25, 2019
I love that Donald Trump has never read Donald Trump's books (quote from "The Art of the Deal") pic.twitter.com/9W3jEpucAF
— Sam Grittner (@SamGrittner) January 25, 2019
Fixed it. #ArtoftheDeal pic.twitter.com/HZaeIJ0VKa
— Mark Takano (@RepMarkTakano) January 25, 2019
In the sense that the move disproved the core mythos of the Trump presidency (he’s a “deal maker” who can “get things done”) while failing to deliver on his signature campaign promise, it is as much of a “Katrina” moment as Trump has experienced. (Bush’s incompetent response and failure to protect the people of Louisiana in the wake of Hurricane Katrina called into question his ability to “keep us safe” and lent credence to Iraq War critics calling for a change of course.)
The reaction from several right-wing media outlets was fierce and… not favorable to Trump.
Trump is getting massive blowback from his allies in right-wing media for striking deal to re-open the government with no border wall funds. pic.twitter.com/HApjypGVS5
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) January 25, 2019
Ann Coulter, who led the charge against Trump’s initial plan to fund the government without money for the border wall, called him a “wimp.”
Good news for George Herbert Walker Bush: As of today, he is no longer the biggest wimp ever to serve as President of the United States.
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) January 25, 2019
I think it's safe to say the Coulter-Trump love affair has ended. https://t.co/DBdrSGbKYi
— Nathan McDermott (@natemcdermott) January 25, 2019
GOD I WISH I WAS THE PERSON WHO READ THIS TO HIM pic.twitter.com/B0w9xj06Y4
— Jensen Karp (@JensenClan88) January 25, 2019
i unblocked you specifically so i could tweet this and laugh at you. https://t.co/joO50TIcjG
— Imani Gandy (@AngryBlackLady) January 25, 2019
I was going to ask someone to go to Ann's house and check up on her. I feared she had passed out and hit her head after hearing Trump's speech. Turns out, she's ok and able to tweet. Carry on. https://t.co/rAS7hr0btj
— Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) January 25, 2019
A political party whose base disavows its last thrity years worth of presidents seems to me like it might be in trouble https://t.co/UfNPIbUYI4
— Alan Scherstuhl (@studiesincrap) January 25, 2019
With the government re-opened, the State of the Union address on Tuesday (assuming it’s still scheduled), should be… interesting. (So should Coulter’s appearance on Bill Maher’s Real Time tonight.)