The imminent government shutdown, briefly explained

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) talks to reporters at the US Capitol on September 30, 2025. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images This story appeared in The Logoff, a daily newsletter that helps you stay informed about the Trump administration without letting political news take over your life. Subscribe here. Welcome to The Logoff: The federal government is hours away from the start of a near-certain shutdown — and, potentially, an unprecedented power grab by President Donald Trump.  What’s going on? Government funding runs out tonight at midnight, which means the government