President Trump signs the bill to reopen the government — 2/3/2026

Summary of Remarks by President Trump on Signing the Consolidated Appropriations Act

Key Concepts:

• Consolidated Appropriations Act: A spending bill funding the federal government through the fiscal year.
• Fiscal Responsibility: Emphasis on cutting wasteful spending and prioritizing American interests.
• National Security: Strengthening the military, shipbuilding industry, and border security.
• Healthcare Reform: Focus on lowering prescription drug prices and expanding rural healthcare access.
• IRS Reform: Cutting funding to programs perceived as abusive and weaponized against taxpayers.
• America First Policy: Prioritizing American interests in foreign aid and trade.
• MAGA (Make America Great Again): A recurring theme emphasizing the success of the administration’s policies.
• Sanctuary Cities: Criticism of policies perceived as hindering law enforcement and enabling illegal immigration.
• Epstein Investigation: Brief discussion of the released documents and alleged conspiracies.

I. Bill Signing & Acknowledgements

The President began by signing the Consolidated Appropriations Act, reopening the federal government and funding operations. He extensively acknowledged and thanked numerous individuals involved in the bill’s passage, including Speaker Mike Johnson, Tom Cole, Ronnie Jackson, Buddy Carter, Stephanie Bice, Ken Calvert, John Carter, David Joyce, Steve Wack (with a personal note of sympathy regarding the recent loss of his wife), Robert Aderholt, Susan Collins, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Bill Hagerty, Lindsey Graham, Mario Diaz-Balart, Katie Britt, John Barrasso, Shelley Moore Capito, Hal Duncan, Susan Ross Aison, and Betsy McDonald. He emphasized the collaborative effort and the importance of recognizing individual contributions.

II. Economic Impact & Fiscal Responsibility

The President framed the bill as a “great victory for the American people,” contrasting it with previous “bloated and wasteful” omnibus spending packages. He asserted that the bill cuts wasteful federal spending while supporting essential programs. He highlighted the potential economic consequences of a prolonged shutdown, stating that a 42-day shutdown already cost the country 1.5 GDP points, and a longer shutdown could have reached 7 GDP points – a figure he described as unprecedented. He specifically noted a $10 billion reduction in wasteful foreign aid, directing funds towards nations that serve American interests.

III. Key Provisions & Policy Changes

Several key provisions of the bill were detailed:

• NPR & PBS Funding: The bill officially ends taxpayer subsidies for National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), deemed “radical far-left woke programming.”
• IRS Funding Cuts: A significant reduction of $10 billion in funding for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), specifically targeting programs perceived as abusive and weaponized against taxpayers. The President referenced his own experience as a target of IRS scrutiny.
• Military Funding & Shipbuilding: Full funding for the military, including a pay raise for service members, and substantial investment in the American shipbuilding industry. The President celebrated the US surpassing Japan in steel production for the first time in over 30 years.
• Border Security & Deportation: Continued funding for deportation flights removing “dangerous illegal aliens” and efforts to reduce crime in Washington D.C. He cited significant crime reductions in Washington D.C. (80% reduction in murders, nearing 95% overall), Memphis (77% reduction), and New Orleans (68% reduction).
• Foreign Aid & “America First” Fund: The creation of an “America First Opportunity Fund” to responsibly provide foreign assistance to nations aligned with American interests.
• Healthcare Savings Accounts: The President expressed strong support for healthcare savings accounts, advocating for direct payments to individuals to purchase their own healthcare, rather than relying on insurance companies.
• Melania Trump Foster Youth Initiative: The inclusion of a newly designated initiative led by First Lady Melania Trump to support foster youth transitioning to independence, linked to the success of her documentary.

IV. Healthcare & Drug Pricing Reform

A significant portion of the discussion focused on healthcare. The President highlighted the inclusion of PBM (Pharmacy Benefit Manager) reform, telehealth extension, and addressing maternal mortality in rural areas. He emphasized the “most favored nations” provision for prescription drug pricing, aiming to tie US drug prices to the lowest prices available globally, potentially reducing costs by 80-90%. He credited the Republican party for achieving this, stating it could be a winning issue in upcoming elections.

V. IRS Accountability & Investigations

The President addressed concerns about IRS misconduct, referencing leaked tax returns and the launch of an investigation into contractors involved in the leaks. He also mentioned investigations into potential fraud related to the IRS and broader government spending, estimating potential fraud at $19 billion.

VI. Border Security & Sanctuary Cities

The President reiterated his commitment to border security, claiming a virtually secure border with no illegal crossings in the past nine months. He strongly criticized sanctuary city policies, arguing they harbor criminals and hinder law enforcement. He called for the deportation of illegal immigrants with criminal records and highlighted the success of his administration’s border policies in reducing crime.

VII. Epstein Investigation & Political Attacks

The President briefly addressed the release of Epstein-related documents, claiming a conspiracy against him involving journalist Wolf and Epstein himself. He dismissed the significance of the documents regarding him, emphasizing his innocence and the extensive investigations he endured. He also criticized the media, specifically CNN, for perceived bias.

VIII. Concluding Remarks & Exchange with Senator Graham

The President concluded by reiterating the success of his administration and the importance of securing the border. A heated exchange with Senator Lindsey Graham ensued regarding sanctuary cities and the need to end policies that attract illegal immigration. Graham advocated for ending the filibuster to pass stricter immigration laws. The President agreed with Graham’s assessment and emphasized the need to address the underlying issues driving illegal immigration.

Notable Quotes:

• “This bill is a great victory for the American people.” – President Trump
• “We’re responsibly providing foreign assistance to nations where it actually serves American interests.” – President Trump
• “I was, I guess, the ultimate victim [of IRS harassment].” – President Trump
• “We have the greatest economy in the history of the world.” – President Trump
• “You are the worst reporter.” – President Trump (to a CNN reporter)
• “America is back.” – Recurring theme and slogan.
• “If you think about it, a state is an agent for the federal government in elections.” – President Trump

Data & Statistics Mentioned:

• GDP Impact of Shutdown: 1.5 GDP points lost due to a 42-day shutdown, potential for 7 GDP points with a longer shutdown.
• Foreign Aid Cuts: $10 billion reduction in wasteful foreign aid spending.
• IRS Funding Cuts: $10 billion reduction in IRS funding.
• Crime Reduction in DC: 80% reduction in murders, nearing 95% overall reduction in crime.
• Crime Reduction in Memphis: 77% reduction in crime.
• Crime Reduction in New Orleans: 68% reduction in crime.
• US Steel Production: Surpassed Japan’s steel production for the first time in over 30 years.
• Potential Drug Price Reduction: 80-90% reduction in prescription drug prices through “most favored nations” provision.
• Estimated Fraud: $19 billion in potential government fraud.
• Deportations: 11,888 murderers deported from the country.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The President presented the Consolidated Appropriations Act as a significant achievement, emphasizing fiscal responsibility, national security, and a commitment to “America First” policies. The remarks were characterized by a focus on economic gains, criticism of perceived political opponents and biased media, and a strong defense of his administration’s policies. The bill’s provisions, particularly those related to border security, healthcare, and IRS reform, were highlighted as key victories for the American people. The overall tone was celebratory and aimed at reinforcing the narrative of a successful presidency and a revitalized America.