It is appropriate to celebrate the end of the shutdown as it means that federal employees will get a respite. However, Trump has promised that unless he gets his wall by February 15th, he will shut the government down again. What can one say? How does one negotiate with someone who threatens the livelihood of hundreds of thousands and by extension the safety and security of the nation?
Nancy Pelosi got Trump to concede temporarily only because he craves giving the State of the Union Address. Perhaps Speaker Pelosi should continue to postpone the address until Trump stops his petulant threats to close the government again.
Even if the wall ever gets built, it will not be paid by Mexico, but by US taxpayers. As stated previously, with the national debt at $180K per person, it is remarkably un-conservative to be spending $5.7 billion on an ineffective wall.
The arrest and indictment of Roger Stone, is also a reminder that the investigations into the Trump crime family’s activities will continue regardless of any tantrums Trump may throw. The investigations will go on despite threats he may issue regarding his use of executive power to declare an emergency and have the wall built with funds assigned to disaster mitigation in other parts of the country.
The Democrats did well. The caucus stood in solidarity and demonstrated that Trump is a terrible negotiator. What remains to be seen is what happens to air traffic safety come February 16th if Trump does not get his wall.