As the U.S. federal government entered a shutdown – the first time in nearly seven years – the confrontation between President Donald Trump's administration and the Democratic Party has further escalated.

According to BBC estimates, about 750,000 people are expected to be put on unpaid leave, alongside temporary suspension of some government services. The standoff between the Republicans and Democrats has frozen about $1.7 trillion in funds for agency operations, which amounts to roughly one-quarter of annual federal spending. Much of the remainder goes to health and retirement programs and interest payments on the growing $37.88 trillion debt.

The Republican-led Senate for a fifth time rejected dueling measures to fund federal agencies, with insufficient support for both a Republican proposal to fund operations through November 21 and a Democratic version that would also extend healthcare subsidies due to expire at the end of the year.

Democrats show rare unity

"The President gets no special new powers during a shutdown. He can't eliminate agencies. He can't use federal funds to punish his political opponents. As Trump's illegality grows during the shutdown, Democrats' spines should stiffen to oppose his corruption," Chris Murphy, Democratic senator from Connecticut, said on X.

Murphy's statement highlights the greater unity among the Democrats. Several U.S. media outlets noted that, unlike the disorganized state following their election losses, the Democrats are now resolutely insisting on fighting to lower healthcare costs.

"Democrats embrace a shutdown fight in a rare moment of unity against Trump," the Associated Press reported.

In March, the Democrats did not fight all the way, and Congress passed a temporary funding bill at the last moment, allowing the Trump administration to avoid a shutdown crisis. This drew criticism from many Democratic supporters.

Yet, in the midst of intense partisan media battles, it remains uncertain whether Democrats will gain the upper hand. The Republicans have portrayed the Democrats as the party "obstructing government operations."

Greg Cusack, a former member of the Iowa House of Representatives, believed that the Democrats are engaging in a risky "political gamble": if it fails to achieve the desired outcome, they are bound to suffer even greater political damage.

'Very different' hostility

The biggest difference between this round of shutdown battles and previous ones is the heightened intensity of partisan conflict.

"The fundamental difference is the hostility and vitriol that are behind all of this. It feels very different," said Patrick Griffin, a former White House official, in comments quoted by The New York Times.

This shutdown could become a prolonged partisan struggle, with greater economic and political impact than previous shutdowns. According to prediction market platform Kalshi, there is a 62 percent chance that the government shutdown could last more than 15 days.

This shutdown is just a microcosm of the growing political polarization and intensified partisan conflict since the Trump administration took office. On issues such as immigration, taxation and healthcare, Republicans and Democrats rarely find common ground. Almost any event can be politicized, and the main goal of both parties seems to be to defeat the other rather than solve problems.

Last month, prominent conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed. Both parties quickly launched a media and political offensive. Discussions on gun control were largely ignored, while identifying the shooter's political affiliation and attacking the opposing camp became the top priority.

"Polarization in the United States ... serves as a tool for those in power," according to an article published on the Democratic Erosion Consortium in April.

(With input from Xinhua)

(Cover: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters at the White House, in Washington, U.S., October 6, 2025. /CFP)