Donald Trump signed a bill reopening the federal government on Wednesday, using the occasion to attack Democrats and repeat false claims about their policies. Speaking from prepared remarks in the Oval Office, Trump accused the opposition of wanting to give money to undocumented immigrants.
He urged the public to punish Democrats in the 2026 midterm elections and called on Republicans to end the Senate filibuster. Meanwhile, government workers remained unpaid as Trump focused on political messaging.
Trump also highlighted the stock market and cited a Walmart study, claiming the cost of Thanksgiving was 25% lower than last year. However, the comparison was misleading, as the cheaper basket in 2025 was smaller than in 2024.
Turning to healthcare, Trump criticized the Affordable Care Act, calling it a “crazy idea” and a “scandal.” He suggested plans to repeal and replace the law with personal savings accounts for health coverage, allowing people to buy insurance and negotiate rates directly.
After delivering his remarks, Trump signed the legislation amid applause from cabinet members and Republican lawmakers, who stood around his desk while he alone sat. The signing formally ended the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, though the political tensions highlighted during the ceremony show the debates are far from over.
