Federal Government Shutdowns Over the Years

The federal government officially shut down on October 1, 2025. That means the shutdown is in its 22nd day as of this writing. There is no end in sight when it might end. This article identifies the length of other federal government shutdowns in previous years. So far, this is the second-longest one. Both of them were during President Donald Trump's first and second administrations.

Federal Government Shutdowns

Since 1976, the federal government has shut down 21 times, with a total of 161 days during seven presidencies. Notice President Jimmy Carter had the most days, 56, from 1977 to 1979, but not on consecutive days.

• Donald Trump | December 21, 2018| 34 days
• Donald Trump | October 1, 2025 | 22 days, ongoing at the time of this writing
• Bill Clinton | December 15, 1995 | 21 days
• Jimmy Carter | September 30, 1978 | 17 days
• Barack Obama | September 30, 2013 | 16 days
• Jimmy Carter | September 30, 1977 | 12 days
• Jimmy Carter | September 30, 1979 | 11 days
• Gerald Ford | September 30, 1976 | 10 days
• Jimmy Carter | October 31, 1977 | 8 days
• Jimmy Carter | November 30, 1977 | 8 days
• Bill Clinton | November 13, 1995 | 5 days
• Ronald Reagan | December 17, 1982 | 3 days
• Ronald Reagan | November 10, 1983 | 3 days
• George H.W. Bush | October 5, 1990 | 3 days
• Ronald Reagan | November 20, 1981 | 2 days
• Ronald Reagan | September 30, 1984 | 2 days
• Donald Trump | January 19, 2018 | 2 days
• Ronald Reagan | September 30, 1982 | 1 day
• Ronald Reagan | October 3, 1984 | 1 day
• Ronald Reagan | October 16, 1986 | 1 day
• Ronald Reagan | December 18, 1987 | 1 day

Longest Single Shutdown

A review shows the longest shutdown, 34 days in a row, took place under Trump, starting in December 2018 and ending Jan. 25, 2019.

Highest Number of Shutdown Days

The president with the most shutdown days was Jimmy Carter, who had 56 days in five separate shutdowns from 1977 to 1979. Second was Donald Trump, with 36 days in two shutdowns in 2018 and 2019. Trump has another shutdown in 2025 that is still ongoing. Bill Clinton was third with 26 days in two shutdowns in 1995 and 1996.

Places That Remain Open and Closed During a Federal Government Shutdown

1. Defense: Branches of the U.S. military and the Coast Guard will remain on duty.
2. Law Enforcement and Protection: The Secret Service, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and others would not be affected.
3. Social Security: Payments will continue to be processed.
4. Border Security: Most Border Patrol officers, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, and customs officials will continue to work.
5. National Parks: Parks often close during shutdowns. Most park staffers have been furloughed, which means no trail maintenance and restroom cleaning.
6. Prisons: Officers would stay on the job.
7. Travel and Air Traffic Control: Transportation Security Administration agents at airports and air-traffic controllers are considered essential and will be required to work without pay.
8. Mail: The U.S. Postal Service will remain open.
9. Taxes: The IRS would keep working, but a reduction of services is possible.
10. Health Care: Federal employees with Medicare and Medicaid will keep working. Emergency workers will stay on the job, but researchers have been furloughed in the Health Department and the National Institutes of Health. About two-thirds of the Centers for Disease Control have been furloughed. Food and Drug Administration staffers will continue to work.
11. Veterans Affairs: The department will process benefits checks and continue medical services to veterans.
12. Smithsonian Museums & Visitor Centers: The museums could close or reduce hours during an extended shutdown.
13. Federal Building Tours: Visitor centers are closed and tours of federal government buildings including the U.S. Capitol, White House, and FBI Building are suspended.
14. Food Safety Inspections: Food inspectors for the Department of Agriculture will continue to work, but non-essential operations are suspended.
15. Federal Agencies’ Public Outreach: Marketing and non-critical communications are paused.
16. WIC (Women, Infants, and Children Program): At risk of running out of funds if shutdown continues.