Fear is in the air as the October 2025 U.S. government shutdown becomes the longest in history at a record 35+ days. These shutdowns happen when Congress can't agree on the federal budget, leaving federal programs unfunded and nonessential programs shut down.

Essential workers continue without pay and are eventually reimbursed.

We've noticed a few things, good and bad. The first is the talking point that Americans will starve because federal food benefits remain unfunded. Originally known as food stamps, the SNAP program provides food assistance to lower-income citizens.

And now 40M Americans will lose out on those benefits, leading some to speculate there may be looting and violence.

Although things aren't great in America, we can't jump to the fear state of violence. This fear comes from the inevitable desperation after three days of hunger.