Trump Directs Pentagon to Ensure Troops Are Paid During Shutdown
President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he has directed the Defense Department to use all available funds to ensure U.S. troops receive their pay on Wednesday, despite the ongoing government shutdown. In a social media post, Trump said the move was necessary because “our Brave Troops will miss the paychecks they are rightfully due on October 15th.”
What the Order Means
The directive appears to pull funds from within the Defense Department to cover active-duty military pay, a move that could reduce the number of personnel able to work on a delayed-pay basis during the shutdown. While the White House has not disclosed the exact funding sources, analysts have noted that it may involve reallocation within existing mandatory or discretionary spending tied to defense programs.
Trump praised the action as a way to safeguard military readiness and morale, stating that he would exercise his authority as commander in chief to “pay our troops.” The president added that funds have been earmarked to ensure pay deliveries on October 15, with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth tasked with implementing the plan. (Note: The actual spelling of the defense secretary’s name has been corrected here for accuracy; the article uses the name as reported in initial remarks.)
The Political Context
The move comes as the government shutdown enters its 11th day, with lawmakers in Washington continuing to grapple over funding and policy disputes. By directing funds to military pay, Trump shifts pressure away from Congress to resolve the funding lapse and prevents a potential immediate impact on service members’ compensation. Critics, however, say such actions do not address the broader disruptions caused by the shutdown for federal workers and operations across multiple agencies.
Defense Budget and Legal Questions
Analysts note that the Pentagon has faced questions about how it might legally finance mandatory and discretionary programs during a lapse. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has previously outlined scenarios in which funds could be redirected or drawn from specific mandatory appropriations to avoid harming military pay and operations, though the long-term effects on military readiness and civilian payrolls remain a topic of debate.
Implications for Federal Workers
While the administration has acted to shield troops from the effects of the shutdown, federal workers face ongoing furloughs and halted services. The White House budget office has begun processing furloughs, signaling continued disruption for government operations that extend beyond the military’s payroll concerns. The divide highlights a broader political struggle over budget priorities and the funding mechanism for the federal government.
What Comes Next
With the pay issue addressed for troops in the short term, attention is turning back to negotiators in Congress and the White House. Lawmakers must still reach a funding agreement to reopen agencies and resume normal operations. The administration’s position, coupled with party dynamics on Capitol Hill, will shape the upcoming discussions on defense funding, domestic programs, and the path forward to end the shutdown.
Conclusion
The president’s directive to the Defense Department to ensure military pay during a funding lapse underscores a key concern of how shutdowns affect national security personnel. While it may avert immediate financial stress for active-duty service members, the broader fallout for federal employees and federal services remains a pressing issue for lawmakers as negotiations continue.
