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Government closures have become a recurring feature of US politics – but the current situation appears particularly intractable due to political dynamics and bad blood between the two parties.

Some government services are temporarily suspended, with approximately 750,000 people are expected to be put on furlough without pay as both political parties can't agree regarding budget legislation.

Legislative attempts to resolve the deadlock have repeatedly failed, and it is hard to see an off-ramp in this instance as each side – including the nation's leader – can see some merit in digging in.

These are the four ways that make this shutdown distinct currently.

First, For Democrats, the focus is on Trump – beyond healthcare issues

Democratic supporters have insisted over recent periods that their party more forcefully fights the Trump administration. Currently the party leadership have an opportunity to show their responsiveness.

Earlier this year, Senate leader was fiercely criticised for helping pass a Republican spending bill and averting a government closure early this year. This time he's holding firm.

This is a chance for Democrats to demonstrate their ability to reclaim some control from an administration that has moved aggressively on its agenda.

Opposing the GOP budget proposal comes with political risk as citizens generally may become impatient with prolonged negotiations and impacts accumulate.

The Democrats are using the budget standoff to put a spotlight on expiring health insurance subsidies together with GOP-backed federal health program reductions for the poor, both facing public opposition.

Additionally, they're attempting to restrict the President's use of presidential authority to cancel or delay funding approved by Congress, a practice demonstrated in international assistance and various federal programs.

2. For Republicans, they see potential

The President along with a senior aide have openly indicated their perspective that they perceive an opening to advance further the cutbacks to the federal workforce implemented during in the Republican's second presidency so far.

The President himself stated recently that the shutdown had afforded him a "unique chance", and that he would look to cut "opposition-supported departments".

The White House said it would be left with a "challenging responsibility" involving significant workforce reductions to keep essential government services operating should the impasse persist. An administration spokesperson said this was just "fiscal sanity".

The extent of possible job cuts is still uncertain, but the White House have been consulting with the Office of Management and Budget, or OMB, under the leadership of the administration's budget director.

The administration's financial chief has already announced the suspension of federal funding for regions governed by of the country, including New York City and Chicago.

3. There's little trust on either side

Whereas past government closures typically involved extended negotiations between the two parties aimed at restoring federal operations, currently there seems little of the same spirit of collaboration this time.

Conversely, animosity prevails. The bad blood continued over the weekend, as both sides blaming each other for causing the impasse.

House Speaker a Republican, accused Democrats with insufficient commitment toward resolution, and holding out during discussions "for electoral protection".

Meanwhile, the opposition's chief levelled the same accusation at the other side, stating how a Republican promise to discuss healthcare subsidies after operations resume cannot be trusted.

The President himself has inflamed the situation by posting a controversial AI-generated image featuring the opposition leader and the top Democrat in the House, where the representative is depicted with traditional headwear and facial hair.

The affected legislator and other Democrats called this racist, which was denied by the Vice-President.

4. The US economy is fragile

Experts project approximately two-fifths of the federal workforce – over 800,000 workers – to be put on unpaid leave due to the government closure.

That will depress spending – with broader economic consequences, as environmental permitting, delayed intellectual property processing, interrupted vendor payments and other kinds of government activity connected to commercial interests comes to a halt.

The closure additionally introduces new uncertainty into an economy currently experiencing disruption by changes ranging from trade measures, earlier cuts to government spending, enforcement actions and artificial intelligence.

Economic forecasters project potential reduction of approximately 0.2% off US economic growth for each week it lasts.

However, economic activity generally rebounds the majority of interrupted operations following resolution, similar to recovery patterns caused by a natural disaster.

This might explain partially why financial markets has appeared largely unfazed to the ongoing impasse.

On the other hand, analysts say should administration officials implement his threat of mass firings, economic harm might become more long-lasting.