Trump calls reopening of government “big victory” for Republicans

President Donald Trump on Tuesday declared victory over Democratic rivals in the longest government shutdown in US history during a speech at a Veterans Day ceremony in Arlington National Cemetery.

Trump highlighted that eight Senate Democrats had broken ranks on Monday to vote with Republicans on a compromise bill that funds the government through January, effectively paving the way to end the shutdown. "Congratulations... on a very big victory," Trump said to Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, whom he spotted in the audience. "We're opening up our country -- it should have never been closed."

The shutdown has left a million federal workers unpaid, disrupted holiday air travel, and threatened food benefits for low-income households. The Senate-approved bill now moves to the House of Representatives on Wednesday, potentially ending the shutdown by Friday.

However, the deal has split Democrats, with many senior figures arguing they should have held out to secure an extension of health insurance subsidies at the center of the shutdown debate.

Trump, 79, also announced plans to rename Veterans Day, November 11, as "Victory Day" to honor World War I, and to do the same for May 8 in respect to World War II. Earlier in the day, he laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, dressed in a dark overcoat, burgundy scarf, and gloves.

The president’s speech, which included partisan remarks praising the Republican-led compromise, broke with the tradition of avoiding politically charged messages during commemorative military events.