The longest government shutdown in U.S. history lasted 43 days , during the 2025 shutdown in Donald Trump’s second term as president, ending in mid- November 2025.

Quick Scoop

  • The 2025 shutdown ran for 43 days, surpassing the previous 35‑day record from the 2018–2019 shutdown in Trump’s first term.
  • It stemmed from a standoff in Congress over federal spending and health care subsidy provisions, with negotiations dragging on for weeks.
  • Hundreds of thousands of federal workers were furloughed or working without pay, and core services such as air‑traffic operations and food assistance programs were significantly disrupted until a funding deal was signed to reopen the government.
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Shutdown Length President Main dispute Notes
2025 U.S. shutdown 43 days (longest) Donald Trump Spending bill tied to health care subsidies Ended after a funding deal without the requested subsidy extension.
2018–2019 shutdown 35 days Donald Trump Border wall funding Previously the longest; caused an estimated multi‑billion‑dollar hit to GDP.

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