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WASHINGTON — Airport delays piled up across the US on Monday as the government shutdown dragged into its seventh day, stranding thousands of travelers and halting federal services. The Federal Aviation Administration reported over 1,200 flights delayed or canceled since Friday, with major hubs like Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare, and Dallas-Fort Worth hit hardest due to unpaid air traffic controllers calling in sick.
The shutdown started October 1 after Congress failed to pass a spending bill. Democrats refused to back a Republican plan that cut funding for migrant health benefits, calling it a “poison pill.” House Speaker Mike Johnson pushed the bill anyway, but it died in the Senate. Now, non-essential federal workers—about 2 million—are furloughed without pay, including TSA screeners and park rangers.
President Donald Trump blamed Democrats in a morning tweet, saying they are holding the country hostage over “radical open-border policies.” He told Fox News he is “seriously considering” invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807 to deploy troops for border security and possibly to quell protests in cities like Chicago, where ICE raids have sparked clashes. “If they won’t fund the wall and deportations, we’ll do what needs to be done,” Trump said.
Legal experts warn the move could face court challenges. The ACLU filed a lawsuit Monday against troop deployments in Portland and Chicago, claiming they violate the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits military use in domestic law enforcement. “This is a dangerous escalation,” said ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt.
Military families feel the pinch too. Active-duty troops are working without pay, and the Defense Department paused some training exercises. Pentagon officials said it could affect readiness if the shutdown lasts longer than two weeks.
Economists predict a $10 billion hit to the economy this week alone from lost productivity. The White House says a deal could come soon if Democrats drop demands for Ukraine aid. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called Trump’s threats “authoritarian bluster” and urged a clean funding bill.
As talks stall, more disruptions loom: Social Security payments could delay next month, and national parks stay closed.
WebTopTrends.com follows the latest on the shutdown. Will Trump invoke the Act? Share your take below.
