Federal Courts Reduce Operations Amid Prolonged Government Shutdown

The ongoing government shutdown has significantly impacted the U.S. federal court system, forcing many courts to operate with limited staff and resources. While federal judges continue to receive their salaries and uphold constitutional duties such as criminal trials, many court employees—including clerks, probation officers, and administrative staff—face furloughs or unpaid work, leading to delays in civil cases and overall court operations. Courts have implemented shutdown protocols, such as reduced schedules and limited activities, prioritizing essential functions like safeguarding human life and property. The shutdown has caused disruptions in ongoing cases, including those challenging Trump administration policies, and has increased concerns about timely access to justice and overburdening the public defender system. Individual courts retain discretion over which cases proceed, but the lack of appropriations has prompted fears of significant backlogs and operational inefficiencies. This marks the first time since the mid-1990s that federal courts have furloughed staff and curtailed normal operations due to a government funding lapse.