The United States has entered another government shutdown after President Donald Trump and Congress failed to reach an agreement on federal funding by Wednesday’s deadline, triggering furloughs and nationwide uncertainty.
The lapse affects about 750,000 federal employees, with many facing immediate suspension and possible dismissals under Trump’s Republican administration.
Critical services will continue, but education, environmental programs, and social services are expected to be suspended.
Trump, who said, “We don’t want it to shut down,” blamed Democrats for refusing to compromise. This marks his third shut down as president, underscoring persistent divisions over budget priorities.
Democrats are demanding renewed funding for Affordable Care Act health care subsidies, which are set to expire, while Republicans have refused negotiations. Trump escalated tensions with a mocking video aimed at Democratic leadership.
The shutdown is expected to ripple through the economy within days, disrupting payments, contracts, and federal programs.
According to international media outlets, analysts warn this lapse could hit harder than previous shutdowns due to absence of negotiations and broader economic uncertainty.
The White House Office of Management and Budget has ordered agencies to prepare not only furloughs but possible large-scale firings, as part of Trump’s plan to shrink the federal government.
Some programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and defense operations, will continue, though delays are likely due to reduced staffing. Smithsonian museums are expected to stay open through Monday, while national parks face closure warnings.
The standoff in Congress continues. A Republican stopgap funding bill failed to advance in the Senate, while Democrats demand health care subsidies be included. With a 53–47 GOP majority, bipartisan cooperation is required but absent.
This shutdown recalls Trump’s first term, when a record 35-day closure erupted over his Mexico border wall demand. Previous shutdowns, including the 16-day lapse during Obama’s presidency, also stemmed from disputes over health care.
With no immediate path forward, millions of Americans now face service disruptions, delayed benefits, and prolonged uncertainty as political divisions deepen.
