Inside the West Wing, Trump’s aides greeted the end of the shutdown as evidence that the White House’s take-no-prisoners approach to the crisis worked: Sure, it took longer than expected, but Democrats were always going to cave.

By and large, polls showed Republicans bore the blame for the shutdown by double digits and Democrats earned credit for chasing Obamacare subsidies. Both sides saw merit in sticking with the strategy, and heading into the weekend it seemed destined to keep in stasis.

Several federal departments and agencies posted partisan messages on their websites and in out-of-office emails during the shutdown. Democrats believe the posts violate federal law.

Jon Stewart came after Democrats for voting to end the government shutdown without extending subsidies for the Affordable Care Act

The Senate appeared poised to approve a spending package that would reopen the government but would not address healthcare costs.

Over the course of the six-week shutdown — which may be ending soon — President Donald Trump has repeatedly made the false claim that Democrats "want $1.5 trillion for health care for illegal aliens."

The deal cut by some Senate Democrats to reopen government has refueled the party’s tussle over strategy and identity just days after sweeping election victories had raised hopes that the left’s disparate factions were pulling in the same direction

The moment for Democrats comes as the party looks to recapture both houses of Congress in the fall 2026 midterm elections.