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US Shutdown: Government staff return to work after shutdown

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US President Donald TrumpImage source, Getty Images

Many Americans employed by the US government are returning to work today following a deal reached on Friday.

That deal saw President Donald Trump agree to end the longest US government shutdown in history.

It lasted 35 days and 800,000 workers were not paid. They'll now be paid - but that will only last for three weeks.

President Trump shut down the government because he wants billions of dollars to build the US-Mexico border wall.

He's tweeted saying he's "not given in and without the deal the shutdown could start again".

He's also indicated he could declare a national emergency if his demands are not met.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Protest rallies have been held government workers against the government shutdown

The shutdown affected workers from nine federal agencies, including airport and security staff, the FBI, and agricultural administration staff.

President Trump said workers affected by the political standoff would receive full back-pay.

During the shutdown some workers, including thousands of those who work for the US tax office, had been ordered to return to work unpaid.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

The White House, where the president of the United States of America lives

Trump wants $5.7bn (拢4.3bn), but the opposing party - the Democrats - has refused to let Mr Trump have the money that he needs.

President Trump signed a proposal that will become law to temporarily end the shutdown until February 15.

Mr Trump also tweeted that he was ""taking care of the millions of people who were getting badly hurt by the shutdown".