I have worked in the government on and off for 40 years. During that time I became quite familiar with requisitions, bidding, awarding contracts etc.  

It is a time-consuming process with bean-counters and pencil-necked bureaucrats every step of the way. The simplest request takes months not days or hours.

In less than 8 hours of the shutdown, miraculously, professionally printed 3X4 foot signs appeared all over the country in the tens of thousands saying-“this [park, facility, etc. with custom logos] closed due to government shutdown.”

There has not been a government shutdown in 17 years. 

These signs were designed, specifications were determined, signs were then requisitioned, bids were posted and vetted, government contracts were awarded. The materials were then ordered and the signs manufactured then distributed by the U.S. Mails or freight companies.

This shutdown was orchestrated and planned well in advance, at least 6-8 months ago. Millions of tax dollars were appropriated and spent in this process. 

 Sooooo, 

Who authorized the work?

.

.

.

.

.