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Shutdowns are a repeat feature of US politics – but this one feels particularly intractable due to shifting political forces along with deep-seated animosity among both major parties.

Certain federal operations face a temporary halt, with approximately 750,000 employees likely to be placed on furlough without pay as Republicans and Democrats remain unable to reach consensus regarding budget legislation.

Legislative attempts to resolve the impasse have repeatedly failed, and it is hard to see an off-ramp this time because both parties – as well as the President – can see some merit in maintaining their positions.

These are several key factors in which things feel different currently.

First, For Democrats, it's about Trump – beyond healthcare issues

Democratic supporters have insisted for months that their party more forcefully fights the Trump administration. Currently Democratic leaders have an opportunity to demonstrate their responsiveness.

In March, Senate leader was fiercely criticised for helping pass a Republican spending bill thus preventing a shutdown early this year. This time he's holding firm.

This is a chance for Democrats to show they can take back some control from a presidency that has moved aggressively with determined action.

Refusing to back the Republican spending plan carries electoral dangers that the wider public will grow frustrated as the dispute drags on and impacts accumulate.

Democratic representatives are using the budget standoff to highlight concerns about expiring health insurance subsidies and GOP-backed government healthcare cuts affecting low-income populations, which are both unpopular.

They are also trying to curtail executive utilization of his executive powers to cancel or delay funding approved by Congress, which he has done with foreign aid and various federal programs.

Second, For Republicans, it's an opportunity

The President along with a senior aide have openly indicated their perspective that they smell a chance to make more of reductions to the federal workforce implemented during in the Republican's second presidency so far.

The nation's leader personally stated recently that the government closure had afforded him a "unique chance", adding he intended to reduce funding for "opposition-supported departments".

The White House stated they would face a "challenging responsibility" of mass lay-offs to maintain critical federal operations should the impasse persist. An administration spokesperson described this as "budgetary responsibility".

The scope of the potential lay-offs is still uncertain, though administration officials have been consulting with the Office of Management and Budget, or OMB, which is headed by the key official.

The administration's financial chief has already announced the halting of government financial support for regions governed by the opposition party, including New York City and Illinois' largest city.

3. There's little trust on either side

While previous shutdowns typically involved extended negotiations between the two parties in an effort to get federal operations, there appears to be little of the same spirit of collaboration this time.

Conversely, there is rancour. The bad blood persisted recently, as both sides exchanging accusations regarding the deadlock's origin.

The legislative leader a Republican, charged opposition members of not being serious toward resolution, and holding out during discussions "to get political cover".

Simultaneously, the opposition's chief made similar charges at the other side, stating how a majority party commitment to discuss healthcare subsidies after operations resume cannot be trusted.

The President himself has inflamed the situation by posting a computer-created controversial depiction of the Senate leader along with another senior in the House, where the legislator is depicted with a large Mexican-style sombrero and a moustache.

The representative and other Democrats denounced this as discriminatory, which was denied by the Vice-President.

4. The US economy faces vulnerability

Analysts expect about 40% of government employees – over 800,000 workers – to face furlough as a result of the government closure.

That will depress spending – with broader economic consequences, including halted environmental approvals, patent approvals, payments to contractors along with various forms of federal operations connected to commercial interests cease functioning.

The closure additionally introduces fresh instability into an economy currently experiencing disruption by changes ranging from tariffs, previous budget reductions, immigration raids and artificial intelligence.

Economic forecasters project potential reduction of as much as 0.2 percentage points from national economic expansion weekly during the closure.

But the economy typically recoups the majority of interrupted operations after a shutdown ends, similar to recovery patterns caused by a natural disaster.

This might explain partially why financial markets has appeared largely unfazed to the ongoing impasse.

On the other hand, analysts say should administration officials implement his threat of mass firings, economic harm might become more long-lasting.