The United States (US) government has partially shut down just 11 weeks after the previous shutdown, which lasted 43 days, the longest in US history.
Even though President Donald Trump struck a deal with Democrats and got it approved by the Senate to fund most agencies through September. The government shut down because the bill must now be approved by the House of Representatives, which is out of session.
This shutdown is not expected to last much longer, as the House of Representatives will reconvene on Monday, February 2, 2026.
A White House memo directed the Departments of Defense, Education and Transportation to execute shutdown plans, stating: “Employees must report to work for their next regularly scheduled tour of duty to carry out orderly shutdown activities.”
He added: “We hope this period will be short.”
Democratic lawmakers have only allowed a two-week funding extension for the Department of Homeland Security amid their intense crackdown on immigration.
However, they refused to provide additional funding to DHS amid protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations following two fatal shootings involving federal agents.
It is the second government shutdown in nearly a year since President Trump took office. The previous funding impasse began on October 1, 2025 and lasted until November 14, 2025.
