The United States is on the brink of witnessing the longest government shutdown in its history, with President Donald Trump declaring he “won’t be extorted” by Democrats over funding disputes. The shutdown, which began on October 1, 2025, has entered its 36th day, crippling federal operations, delaying services, and leaving hundreds of thousands of government employees unpaid.
The deadlock stems from a clash between the White House and Congress over healthcare subsidies and federal spending. Democrats have demanded the inclusion of Affordable Care Act tax credits in the funding bill, while Republicans, led by Trump, insist on a “clean” resolution without policy add-ons. The President has also called for abolishing the Senate filibuster to bypass Democratic opposition, an idea even many Republicans have resisted.
Essential services like air traffic control, food safety inspections, and public health programs are now under severe strain. The economic toll is mounting, with analysts estimating billions of dollars in losses to GDP and growing risks to national infrastructure. Despite increasing public pressure and protests from furloughed workers, negotiations remain stalled. Trump’s uncompromising stance has turned the standoff into a test of political will that could redefine the boundaries of executive-legislative confrontation in modern American governance.
