US Government Shutdown Enters Second Week Amid Constitutional Crisis

The United States government shutdown entered its sixth and seventh days on October 6-7, 2025, marking the first federal closure since January 2019. The crisis escalated when Congress failed to pass a continuing resolution due to partisan disagreements over spending priorities and immigration policies.

Approximately 2 million federal employees face furloughs or unpaid work requirements, with air traffic controllers, TSA agents, and border patrol officers working without compensation. Major airports reported significant delays due to the Federal Aviation Administration operating with minimal staffing. National parks, federal courts, and regulatory agencies have suspended non-essential services. The shutdown coincided with President Trump’s controversial threats to invoke the Insurrection Act, which would have deployed National Guard units to Democratic-controlled cities. Illinois and Chicago filed federal lawsuits challenging the administration’s constitutional authority, arguing that such deployments violate principles of state sovereignty and civilian control.

Legal scholars debate whether the Insurrection Act applies to current circumstances, as it has traditionally addressed rebellion or domestic violence, rather than political demonstrations. The constitutional crisis has prompted bipartisan concerns about executive power overreach and federal-state relations. Economic analysts estimate the shutdown costs approximately $6 billion weekly in lost productivity and delayed government contracts. Financial markets remained volatile as investors assessed the risks associated with political stability. Congressional leadership from both parties faces mounting pressure to resolve the impasse before critical services suffer irreparable damage, potentially affecting millions of Americans dependent on federal programs and services.