The US government shutdown has entered its second week, plunging the nation into growing chaos as mass layoffs and air travel disruptions intensify. President Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon to utilize ‘all available funds’ to ensure military personnel are paid, yet hundreds of thousands of civilian workers remain furloughed without pay. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initially issued layoff notices to 1,300 employees, only to retract hundreds of them hours later, according to sources familiar with the matter. The Trump administration has initiated widespread job cuts across various federal agencies, including the Treasury Department, the US health agency, and Homeland Security’s cybersecurity division. Trump has squarely blamed Democrats for the layoffs, accusing them of instigating the shutdown. Republicans, who hold majorities in both chambers of Congress, are pushing for an extension of the current budget, while Democrats are advocating for subsidies for low-income health insurance. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has criticized Republicans, stating that they bear responsibility for every job lost and every family affected. Labor unions representing federal workers have filed lawsuits to halt the layoffs, arguing they are illegal during a shutdown. Meanwhile, air travel across the US has been severely disrupted due to a shortage of air traffic controllers, many of whom are working without pay. Over 52,000 flights were canceled ahead of the Columbus Day weekend, with significant delays reported in major airports including Chicago, New York, and Dallas. The Federal Aviation Administration has acknowledged staffing issues, which have delayed travel for five consecutive days. As the shutdown persists, the political standoff shows no signs of resolution, leaving federal workers and travelers in limbo.