BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 30, 2025
The federal government is once again on the verge of a government shutdown with President Trump and Senate Democrats at odds on a spending plan ahead of a Wednesday deadline. The state stands to face consequences under a shutdown. Maine has more than 12,000 federal workers who would be affected. Workers deemed essential will continue their jobs without pay. Trump’s budget chief, Russ Vought, instructed federal agencies to prepare for mass firings during a shutdown to drastically cut the size of the government. It is not clear what the Trump administration will do with national parks. A group of former national park superintendents has urged that national parks be closed if the federal government does shut down arguing that continued public access amid park employees getting furloughed or laid off could put property and visitors at risk of harm. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Superintendent Neal Labrie said the Trump administration has not yet provided more instructions on what may happen there.