The US government has entered a shutdown as a result of political deadlock and escalating tensions between the Trump administration and Democrats. With Trump threatening mass firings and using the shutdown as leverage against Democratic agencies, federal employees are bracing for weeks without pay. The shutdown is affecting various sectors across the country, with states like Minnesota and Georgia feeling the impact. As negotiations stall and layoffs loom, both parties are engaged in blame games, and public sentiment shifts as citizens consider the implications of the prolonged closure on services and benefits.