US Government Shutdown Enters Day 2: Food-Aid at Risk, Energy Projects terminated

Written by : Suraj Karowa

The US federal government implemented the full-scale government shutdown effective from Wednesday, 1 October 2025. (Bloomberg)

The US federal government shutdown, triggered by President Donald Trump’s administration after failing to secure a funding deal with Democrats, stretched into its second day on October 2, 2025, casting uncertainty over essential services and federal operations. Imposed at midnight on October 1 following the expiration of fiscal year 2025 funding, the impasse has furloughed thousands of federal workers and threatened programs vital to vulnerable populations, including nutrition aid for 6.7 million low-income Americans.
The shutdown marks the first in nearly seven years, stemming from deep partisan divides over spending priorities. Republicans, controlling Congress and the White House, pushed for a clean continuing resolution to maintain current funding levels, but Democrats blocked it in the Senate, demanding protections for social programs and rejecting what they call Trump’s “extreme” cuts. Trump has framed the crisis as an “unprecedented opportunity” to slash government waste, vowing to meet with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) chief Russell Vought to target “Democrat agencies” for reductions. Critics, including Democrats, accuse the administration of using the shutdown for political retribution, with some agencies explicitly blaming the “radical left” for the impasse – a move sparking backlash for violating neutrality rules.
One of the most immediate casualties is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which supports nearly 7 million nutritionally at-risk pregnant women, new mothers, and young children with food, counseling, and healthcare referrals. Funded at $7.6 billion annually – a fraction of the $7 trillion federal budget – WIC requires yearly congressional reauthorization, unlike entrenched programs like Social Security or Medicare. With funds already depleted at fiscal year’s end, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to stretch remaining resources, but advocates warn that a prolonged shutdown beyond a week could halt benefits, putting infants and toddlers at risk of malnutrition. Georgia Machell, CEO of the National WIC Association, emphasized the peril: “A prolonged federal shutdown… is going to start to put babies and young children at risk.” States are scrambling to maintain services using reserves, but governors in affected areas have issued reassurances amid growing anxiety.
Compounding the humanitarian concerns, the Trump administration announced the termination of 321 financial awards supporting 223 clean energy projects, projecting savings of $7.56 billion for taxpayers. The Department of Energy’s move targets initiatives in Democratic-leaning states, including grid upgrades in California and renewable projects across 16 blue states, freezing nearly $8 billion in climate-related funding.0a2578e48e57 Officials claim the projects fail to “advance the nation’s energy needs,” aligning with Trump’s broader agenda to dismantle green initiatives inherited from prior administrations.664059 Recipients have 30 days to appeal, but Democrats decry it as partisan sabotage, with some vowing legal challenges. The White House has also frozen $26 billion in aid to Democratic states, escalating accusations of weaponizing the shutdown for electoral gain.
Federal workers face unpaid furloughs or potential layoffs, with estimates of daily losses up to $400 million in wages. Essential services like air traffic control and national security persist, but non-essential operations grind to a halt, echoing the 2018-2019 shutdown under Trump that lasted 35 days. Public reaction on X (formerly Twitter) is polarized: supporters praise Trump’s fiscal toughness, while critics lambast it as a “Trump-manufactured” crisis harming everyday Americans. Posts highlight Trump’s past statements on shutdowns signaling “weak presidents,” now turned against him by opponents.1f8ab7
Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, insist Republicans could end the shutdown “in five minutes” by passing a bipartisan bill, but GOP leaders demand concessions on spending and immigration. Polls indicate more Americans blame Trump and Republicans than Democrats, citing GOP control of government branches. As negotiations stall, the White House urges Democrats to prioritize citizens over “illegal aliens,” per press secretary statements.
With no resolution in sight, economists warn of broader economic drags, including delayed payments and investor unease.fa2ac6 Trump remains defiant, viewing the chaos as leverage for his agenda, but the human cost – from hungry families to idled projects – mounts daily. Congress reconvenes amid pressure, but partisan trenches deepen, leaving the fate of millions hanging in the balance.