President Donald Trump made clear aboard Air Force One on October 31, 2025, that any negotiations to resolve the ongoing government shutdown hinge on one simple step: Congress must first reopen the government. Speaking to reporters during the return flight from South Korea, the President reiterated his readiness to meet with Democratic leaders, but only once the nation’s operations are restored.

“I’m always willing to meet — all they have to do is open up the country,” Trump said. “Let them open up the country and we’ll meet. We’ll meet very quickly.”  

Now entering its second month, the shutdown that began on October 1 has become one of the longest in U.S. history, with funding lapses affecting millions of Americans and hundreds of federal agencies. Programs such as food aid, small business loans, and national park services have been disrupted, while congressional leaders continue to trade blame over spending cuts and policy riders.

The President’s position underscores his insistence that negotiations cannot proceed under manufactured crisis conditions. White House officials argue that Democrats are deliberately keeping the government closed to create public pressure and weaken the administration’s bargaining position. “The President’s message is clear,” a senior aide stated. “End the shutdown, reopen the government, and then let’s sit down to talk like adults.”

Trump’s remarks reflect his trademark dealmaking approach—assertive, transactional, and grounded in accountability. He has repeatedly emphasized that his administration’s budget proposals are focused on restoring fiscal discipline, protecting American taxpayers, and ensuring resources are directed toward national priorities like border security and infrastructure modernization.

The shutdown, now over 30 days long, has become both a political and economic flashpoint. While Democrats accuse the White House of holding up essential services, Trump’s supporters counter that the real obstruction lies in Congress’s refusal to fund the nation’s core needs and secure its borders.

By conditioning talks on the reopening of the government, President Trump signals that he will not negotiate under pressure or compromise the functioning of the United States to satisfy partisan brinkmanship. His stance continues to resonate with Americans frustrated by Washington gridlock and eager for strong, results-driven leadership.  

For the President, the path forward remains simple: restore government operations first—then, and only then, meet to finalize a deal that works for the American people.