Hi! We’re Jonathan Lemire and Toluse Olorunnipa, staff writers at The Atlantic who cover politics. We have reported on what caused the current government shutdown, what the parties want from each other, and what happens next. Ask us anything!

Hello Reddit! We have both been closely following the current government shutdown as part of our reporting on politics and policy.

I (Jonathan Lemire) explained how Donald Trump could use the shutdown as a weapon against public officials and how he could use it to continue the plans started by DOGE.

As for me (Toluse Olorunnipa), my reporting includes Trump’s immediate reaction and possible plans for a shutdown, as well as the implications Americans might feel on their daily lives, going beyond airport delays and IRS shutdowns.

We’re here to discuss how we got to the lockdown, the government’s possible next steps and beyond. Ask us anything!

Proof photo here: https://x.com/TheAtlantic/status/1978087173690667089