Trump orders Pentagon to use all available funds to pay troops amid shutdown

President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he has directed the Defense Department to use “all available funds” to ensure U.S. troops are paid on Wednesday despite the ongoing government shutdown. This short-term fix, however, does not apply to the hundreds of thousands of federal workers who have been furloughed.

In a social media post, Trump said he was taking action because “our Brave Troops will miss the paychecks they are rightfully due on October 15th.” The Republican president’s directive removes one of the pressure points that might have forced Congress to act, likely ensuring that the shutdown—now in its 11th day—extends into a third week and possibly beyond.

No similar action appears forthcoming for federal employees, many of whom are working without pay, while thousands more are being laid off during the lapse in government operations. The White House budget office initiated these layoffs on Friday.

Trump blamed Democrats and said he was exercising his authority as commander in chief by directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth “to use all available funds to get our Troops PAID on October 15th.” The president added, “We have identified funds to do this, and Secretary Hegseth will use them to PAY OUR TROOPS.”

U.S. service members were at risk of not receiving their next paycheck on Wednesday following the government shutdown that began October 1, the start of the federal budget cycle. The U.S. has approximately 1.3 million active-duty service members, and the prospect of troops going without pay has been a key concern for lawmakers discussing the shutdown’s negative impact.

While Trump did not specify the source of the funds, a spokesperson for the White House Office of Management and Budget said Pentagon research and development funds would be tapped. The Pentagon identified about $8 billion in unobligated research, development, testing, and evaluation funds from the last fiscal year to be used to issue mid-month paychecks “in the event the funding lapse continues past October 15th.”

Federal workers typically receive back pay once a shutdown ends, as required by a law Trump signed during his first term. Though he recently suggested the idea of not making up lost salaries, this directive specifically ensures troop pay will continue.

It remains unclear if the directive applies to the U.S. Coast Guard, a branch of the Armed Forces that is overseen by the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime.

The nation’s third shutdown in 12 years has raised anxiety among service members and their families, who are working without pay. While back pay will be provided once the impasse ends, many military families live paycheck to paycheck.

During previous shutdowns, Congress passed legislation to ensure troops continued receiving salaries, but discussion of similar measures this time appears to have stalled. Asked earlier this week if he would support a bill to pay the troops, Trump said, “that probably will happen.” He added, “We’ll take care of it. Our military is always going to be taken care of.”

The shutdown began on October 1 after Democrats rejected a short-term funding fix, demanding that the bill include an extension of federal subsidies for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. The expiration of those subsidies at the end of the year would result in monthly cost increases for millions of people.

Trump and Republican leaders have expressed openness to negotiations on the health subsidies but insist the government must reopen first. Both sides remain firm on their positions, making it unclear when or how the shutdown will end.

*This story has been sourced from a third-party syndicated feed and agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for the dependability, trustworthiness, reliability, or accuracy of the content. Mid-day management and mid-day.com reserve the sole right to alter, delete, or remove (without notice) content at their discretion for any reason whatsoever.*
https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/donald-trump-directs-the-pentagon-to-use-all-available-funds-to-ensure-troops-are-paid-despite-shutdown-23598327

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