US Federal Courts Furlough Staff as Government Shutdown Exhausts Funding

The ongoing government shutdown, entering its third week, has led to the federal judiciary running out of funding to sustain full operations, forcing widespread furloughs of court staff while judges continue to work and receive pay as mandated by the Constitution. Essential court functions, including constitutional duties and public safety-related activities, continue without pay, but non-essential staff are furloughed, marking the first such instance in nearly 30 years. The judicial system has exhausted reserve funds that previously allowed it to operate during shutdowns, and courts are making individual decisions on case management and supervision during this funding lapse. The Supreme Court remains operational, hearing cases and issuing rulings, though its building is closed to the public until further notice. The shutdown has exacerbated delays in civil cases involving federal agencies, but criminal cases proceed to honor the Sixth Amendment guarantee of a speedy trial. Efforts to end the shutdown continue, with the Senate preparing another vote and President Trump involved in other national security and political matters during this period.