Washington, D.C.: The United States government has officially reopened after a record-breaking 42-day shutdown, the longest in the nation’s history. President Donald Trump signed a bipartisan bill late Wednesday evening to restore federal operations, ending weeks of political gridlock that had paralyzed key government services and affected millions of federal workers.
Trump, addressing reporters at the White House, said the decision to reopen the government was not a concession but a “necessary move to protect American families and workers.” He further emphasized that his administration “will never bow to political extortion or obstruction,” suggesting that Democrats had prolonged the standoff over budget disagreements and border security funding.
The shutdown, which began nearly six weeks ago, left over 800,000 federal employees either furloughed or working without pay. Analysts estimate that the disruption caused an economic loss of around $11 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Economists have warned that repeated shutdowns risk eroding investor confidence and weakening the US government’s credit reputation.
House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized Democrats for what he called “a reckless and avoidable impasse,” while Democratic leaders blamed the White House for prioritizing political agendas over governance. The agreement reached this week reportedly funds the government through the next fiscal quarter while setting the stage for further negotiations on immigration and spending priorities.
Financial markets reacted positively to the news, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising by nearly 200 points in early trading, reflecting optimism among investors after weeks of uncertainty. Meanwhile, several federal departments, including Homeland Security and Agriculture, have begun recalling employees to resume operations.
Political observers noted that the prolonged standoff has dented public trust in Washington. “The American public’s patience for partisan brinkmanship is wearing thin,” said Dr. Elaine Foster, a political analyst at the Brookings Institution. “The key challenge now is ensuring fiscal stability without triggering another shutdown in months to come.”
The reopening of the government marks a critical, if temporary, truce in the ongoing power struggle between Republicans and Democrats — but questions remain over whether lasting cooperation can follow this record shutdown.
