BREAKING: President Trump Announces ‘We Have Reached a Deal to End the Shutdown’

President Donald Trump kicked off his Oval Office address this afternoon announcing, “We have reached a deal to end the shutdown and reopen the federal government.”

He said he will sign a bill to reopen the government until February 15 and intends to make sure all federal employees will receive their back pay. The deal does not include money for a border wall.

“As everyone knows, I have a very powerful alternative, but I didn’t want to use it at this time. Hopefully, it will be unnecessary,” he said. “I want to thank all of the incredible federal workers and they are amazing families who have shown such extraordinary devotion in the face of this recent hardship. You are fantastic people. You are incredible patriots. Many of you have suffered far greater than anyone but your families would know or understand. And all only did you not complain, but in many cases, you encouraged me to keep going because you care so much about our country and about its border security.”

However, POTUS also said this:

“If we don’t get a fair deal from Congress, the government will either shut down on February 15th again or I will use the powers afforded to me under the laws and the Constitution of the United States to address this emergency.”

You can watch the announcement above, via Fox News.

[image via screengrab]

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