• The US government shutdown has commenced, affecting approximately 750,000 federal workers.
• Partisan divides between Trump and Congressional Democrats have stalled funding negotiations.
• Essential services like military operations and Social Security payments will continue, but many services will be disrupted.
• The political fallout could ripple through the economy as job reports may be delayed amid the shutdown.
• Democrats are demanding health care subsidy extensions, while Republicans refuse to negotiate during the shutdown.

The US government has shut down as deep partisan divides between President Donald Trump and Congress resulted in a failure to reach a funding agreement. The shutdown, marking the 15th instance since 1981, is expected to affect roughly 750,000 federal workers, with some likely facing job losses as the Trump administration threatens to reduce government programs and services. Agencies have warned that the shutdown will halt crucial operations, leading to a daily cost of around US$400 million and severely impacting public services, from scientific research to air travel, according to Channel News Asia and LA Times.

As the shutdown took effect, many essential services continued to operate, including the military and Social Security payments, while the deportation agenda of the Trump administration would reportedly proceed with full force. The economic fallout is expected to ripple throughout the country, raising concerns among those reliant on federal services and benefits. The White House Office of Management and Budget has directed agencies to prepare for mass furloughs and firings, signalling a shift in the operational landscape of the federal government, as highlighted by TRT Global and HuffPost.

Despite demands from Democrats for extended health care subsidies, discussions between the parties remained bitter and unyielding. The failure to negotiate has left many in vulnerable positions, including military personnel and other critical federal employees who may be forced to work without pay, creating financial uncertainty for them and their families. The political climate remains precarious as both sides trade blame for the impasse, with Democrats aiming to leverage this situation to negotiate favorable healthcare funding, as reported by Dawn and Le Monde.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer described the shutdown as a point of “frustration and anger” among millions facing rising healthcare costs, signalling the deep-seated issues motivating the Democrats' stance. The lack of compromise culminates in a situation where essential government functions are disrupted, from food inspections to visa processing, impacting the daily lives of citizens across the nation. This political standoff reflects Trump's broader governance strategy, which has historically prioritised hardline approaches over bipartisanship, according to LA Times, HuffPost, and Le Monde.

As Congress grapples with this funding crisis, the ramifications of the shutdown are likely to intensify in the coming days. Economic analysts predict immediate impacts, including the potential delay of critical economic reports, further exacerbating the uncertainty that hangs over the US amidst this fiscal standoff. With both sides enduring mounting pressures from their bases, the path forward remains clouded in doubt, affecting millions across the nation reliant on government services, according to TRT Global and Dawn.