Midnight Guillotine

The Real Story

On October 1, 2025, the U.S. federal government entered a shutdown at 12:01 a.m. after Congress failed to pass funding legislation. Lawmakers remained locked in disputes over appropriations levels, policy riders, and healthcare subsidies. As a result, hundreds of thousands of federal employees face furloughs or working without pay, and many services are suspended or limited. Essential operations, such as national security and emergency functions, continue while political blame swirls in Washington.