Trump: Ending shutdown was ‘in no way a concession’

President Trump on Friday sought to defend his decision earlier that day to end the ongoing partial government shutdown without getting funding for his long-desired border wall.

“I wish people would read or listen to my words on the Border Wall. This was in no way a concession,” Trump tweeted. “It was taking care of millions of people who were getting badly hurt by the Shutdown with the understanding that in 21 days, if no deal is done, it’s off to the races!” 

I wish people would read or listen to my words on the Border Wall. This was in no way a concession. It was taking care of millions of people who were getting badly hurt by the Shutdown with the understanding that in 21 days, if no deal is done, it’s off to the races!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2019

Trump’s comments came hours after, bowing to mounting pressure, he announced that he would sign a short-term funding bill to reopen the government without funds to construct a wall along the southern border.   

{mosads}“I am very proud to announce today that we have reached a deal to end the shutdown and reopen the federal government,” Trump said.

Congress later on Friday easily advanced a three-week funding bill to fully reopen the federal government, hours after Trump agreed to end the shutdown.

Trump’s announcement was met with criticism from some conservatives who claimed that Trump had caved amid the more than monthlong fight over border wall funding. The government entered a partial shutdown on Dec. 22 amid an impasse between Trump and lawmakers over his demand for billions of dollars in border wall funding.

Trump had said he would not sign legislation that did not include $5.7 billion in funding for his proposed border wall.

“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,” conservative commentator Ann Coulter tweeted. 

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

Trump warned Friday in announcing the three-week funding deal that if he cannot get a “fair deal” by next month the government could shut down again or he may declare a national emergency to sidestep Congress and build a border wall. Such a move would almost certainly draw legal challenges.

“We’ll work with the Democrats and negotiate, and if we can’t do that, then we’ll do a – obviously we’ll do the emergency because that’s what it is. It’s a national emergency,” Trump told reporters later in the Roosevelt Room of the White House.