Trump’s Week in Review: Diplomatic Victory as US Government Shutdown Continues

President Donald Trump this week reached a historic peace deal between Israel and Hamas that will end the war in Gaza and return the hostages two years after the terrorist network attacked Israel on October 7, 2023 – all while the US government remains paralyzed due to a deadlock in the Senate.

The president made the announcement Wednesday on his Truth Social platform.

“I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed the first phase of our peace plan,” the president said. “This means that ALL hostages will be released very soon and Israel will withdraw its troops along an agreed line as the first step towards a strong, lasting and eternal peace. All parties will be treated fairly!”

HAMAS AGREES TO TRUMP’S PEACE PLAN, ENDING 2 YEARS OF WAR IN GAZA AND RETURNING HOSTAGES

The president said the day of the agreement was “a GREAT day for the Arab and Muslim world, Israel, all surrounding nations and the United States of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, who worked with us to make this historic and unprecedented event happen.”

President Donald Trump announced an agreement between Israel and Hamas providing for the release of the hostages. (Léon Neal/Getty; Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty)

“Blessed are the peacemakers!” he posted.

According to Israeli officials, the living hostages should be released in one batch within 72 hours. Returning the bodies of the deceased hostages will take longer, but Israel insists they be included in the deal.

Trump warned that if Hamas did not accept the deal, Israel would have the full support of the United States to carry out its operational plans in Gaza.

Moments before the president’s announcement, photos emerged from the negotiating room in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, showing senior officials kissing and shaking hands as reports indicated significant progress toward a deal to release the hostages. Retired Israel Defense Forces Major General Nitzan Alon was seen shaking hands with the Prime Minister of Qatar, with US special envoy Steve Witkoff in the background.

TRUMP UNVEILS 20-POINT PLAN TO ENSURE PEACE IN GAZA, INCLUDING GRANTING AMNESTY TO SOME MEMBERS OF HAMAS

On the other side, Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya and other senior officials appeared smiling.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement: “With God’s help, we will bring them all home.”

Netanyahu added in a statement translated from Hebrew: “A great day for Israel. Tomorrow I will convene the government to approve the deal and bring all our beloved hostages home. I thank the heroic IDF soldiers and all security forces – thanks to their courage and sacrifice we have reached this day. I thank from the bottom of my heart President Trump and his team for mobilizing for this mission sacred to free our hostages. With God’s help, together we will continue to achieve all our goals and develop peace with our neighbors.

President Donald Trump, left, greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrives at the White House for an April meeting in Washington. (Chen Mengtong/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)

The terrorist organization Hamas announced in an official statement: “After responsible and serious negotiations carried out by the movement and factions of the Palestinian resistance regarding President Trump’s proposal in Sharm el-Sheikh, with the aim of ending the war of extermination against our Palestinian people and the withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip, Hamas announces the conclusion of an agreement that ends the war against Gaza, provides the withdrawal of the occupation, allows the entry of aid and implements an exchange of prisoners.

Trump announces Middle East trip as Gaza peace deal talks continue

“We greatly appreciate the efforts of the mediators in Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, and thank US President Donald Trump for his efforts to bring a definitive end to the war and a complete withdrawal from the occupation of the Gaza Strip. We call on President Trump, the guarantor states of the agreement, and all Arab, Islamic and international parties to compel the occupation government to respect all commitments of the agreement and not to allow it to evade or delay the implementation of the agreements.”

Trump is now expected to travel to the Middle East on Sunday as part of continuing peace negotiations.

“I might go towards the end of the week. Maybe Sunday, actually, and we’ll see,” Trump said Wednesday from the White House as he kicked off a panel discussion focused on the radical left-wing group Antifa.

“We have a great team there, great negotiators, and unfortunately there are also great negotiators on the other side,” Trump added. “But I think it’s something that’s going to happen. I have a good chance of it happening.”

Meanwhile, the government shutdown continued this week after Senate lawmakers failed to reach a budget deal.

SENATE LEAVES WASHINGTON AS GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN NEAR 3RD WEEK, MILITARY PAY AT RISK

Today, senators left Washington, D.C., and plan to return to the Capitol early next week, as Republicans and Democrats in the upper chamber remain deadlocked.

The government shutdown is expected to cost taxpayers $400 million a day to pay furloughed federal employees, according to data from the Congressional Budget Office. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Lawmakers voted late Thursday night on the National Defense Authorization Act of 2026, which advanced on a largely bipartisan vote. But the $925 billion plan, which authorizes funding for the Pentagon, was effectively the last hurray of the week in the Upper House.

Although there were discussions about bringing the House Republican Party’s continuing resolution (CR), along with the congressional Democrats’ counterproposal, to the floor for a final vote, the plan never came to fruition. Both would likely have failed for an eighth consecutive time.

The president criticized Democratic leaders for shutting down the government against the backdrop of “one of the most prosperous economies.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and most Democrats say they won’t support defunding the government unless Congress agrees to extend expiring Obamacare subsidies. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Trump said he was “happy to work with Democrats on their failed health care policies, or anything else, but they must first allow our government to reopen.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and most Democrats say they won’t support defunding the government unless Congress agrees to extend expiring Obamacare subsidies.

COMEY PLEADS NOT GUILTY IN COURT AFTER INCHARGED FOR ALLEGED FALSE STATEMENTS AND OBSTRUCTION

Meanwhile, the president also saw two of his political enemies face federal indictments this week.

Former FBI Director James Comey appeared Wednesday morning in federal court in the Eastern District of Virginia and pleaded not guilty to two counts of making a false statement within the jurisdiction of the legislature and one count of obstructing a congressional investigation related to the Trump-Russia probe.

Former FBI Director James Comey is drawn in a sketch of a courtroom during his arraignment on October 8, 2025 in Virginia. (Federal Court, designer Dana Verkouteren)

Comey’s trial is scheduled to begin on January 5, 2026.

GRAND JURY INDICATE NY AG LETITIA JAMES ON BANK FRAUD CHARGES IN VIRGINIA FEDERAL COURT

On Thursday evening, New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted for mortgage fraud.

The trial of former FBI Director James Comey is scheduled to begin on January 5, 2026. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

A federal grand jury in Virginia charged James with bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution. The indictment relates to James’ purchase of a home in Norfolk, Virginia. Prosecutors allege she falsely declared it as a second home in order to obtain better loan terms before renting it to tenants.

James has denied any wrongdoing, calling the accusations “political retaliation.”

“These accusations are baseless, and the president’s own public statements make it clear that his only goal is political vengeance at all costs,” James said in a statement.

New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted for alleged mortgage fraud on October 9, 2025. (Michael M. Santiago)

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Lindsey Halligan, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, said James faces up to 30 years in prison per count, up to a $1 million fine on each count and forfeiture if convicted.

“No one is above the law. The charges in this case represent intentional criminal acts and enormous breaches of public trust,” Halligan said. “The facts and law in this case are clear, and we will continue to follow them to ensure justice is served.”