Jeffrey Toobin isn’t mincing words about the government shutdown … calling this one a whole different beast compared to ones in the past.

TMZ caught the CNN analyst at LAX Tuesday, and he says this shutdown’s looking locked in — no easy exit, no quick fix. Translation: don’t hold your breath for a speedy resolution.

Toobin says the real pain’s coming down the line … the public might not feel it right away, but give it a couple weeks, and things could get ugly … government employees forced to work without pay with their bills piling up, critical federal services slowed, even jeopardized.

Should be noted … earlier this week, after congressional leaders met with President Trump to talk about averting the shutdown, Trump posted an A.I.-altered fake video of Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer featuring Schumer calling themselves “woke” and making false claims … and showing Jeffries with a fake mustache and wearing a sombrero. Not exactly a promising direction for an impending resolution.