Trump Directs Pay for Troops as Shutdown Lingers
President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he is directing Defense Department officials to pay members of the military next week, despite the ongoing federal government shutdown. In a post on Truth Social, he asserted that he was exercising his authority as Commander in Chief to ensure that service members receive their pay on October 15.
“I am using my authority, as Commander in Chief, to direct our Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to use all available funds to get our Troops PAID on October 15th. We have identified funds to do this, and Secretary Hegseth will use them to PAY OUR TROOPS,” Trump wrote, signaling a willingness to redirect funds to meet the payroll deadline.
The decision comes amid intense political maneuvering over the shutdown, which has entered its second week as lawmakers struggle to reach a funding agreement. Officials from the Administration and members of Congress on both sides have warned that military families could be affected if paychecks are delayed beyond the 15th.
Funding Details and Controversy
Sources familiar with the matter told NBC News that the Office of Management and Budget notified Congress of plans to use research and development funds to cover military pay. The OMB confirmed that there are two years’ worth of funds available within the Department of Defense that could be redirected if needed.
Trump’s action, while slated to guarantee payroll, does not resolve the broader fiscal impasse. Senate votes on a temporary funding measure have failed to reach the 60-vote threshold required to reopen the government. House Republicans and Democrats remain at odds over the scope and timing of a continuing resolution, as well as a separate package addressing Medicaid, ACA subsidies, and other policy changes.
Political Recriminations and Public Pressure
The White House has faced pressure to avert a disruption to paychecks for federal workers and military families. Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged the pressure, saying the White House must consider options to ensure troops receive pay on time. He warned that the impact on families could become real once paydays pass without resolution.
Trump supporters point to the stepped-up use of executive discretion to avoid harming service members, while opponents argue that using other funds sets a risky precedent and shifts the burden of governing onto the Pentagon’s budget rather than achieving a legislative compromise.
Human Impact: Real Families, Real Concerns
Lawmakers and military spouses have expressed deep anxiety over the possibility of missed paychecks. A caller during a C-SPAN segment with House Speaker Mike Johnson described the challenge of affording essential medications for children if pay delays continue. The exchange underscored how federal employees and military families live paycheck to paycheck, intensifying the political stakes of the shutdown.
Democrats in the House and Senate have pressed for a stand-alone bill to guarantee pay for troops, arguing that national security and honor demand timely payrolls regardless of broader budget disputes. Republicans have criticized Democrats for delaying votes and called for immediate action to reopen the government and fund payrolls.
What Comes Next
With the Oct. 15 paycheck in the spotlight, lawmakers face a high-profile test of legislative timing and party unity. The White House has signaled a willingness to maneuver money around to protect paydays, but a long-term resolution requires a negotiated funding plan that both parties can accept. For military families, the question remains: will a temporary payroll fix be enough to weather the uncertainty until Congress approves a sustainable funding package?
As negotiations continue, the public awaits concrete votes and concrete solutions, hoping that the fiscal clash does not undermine the welfare of those who serve the nation. The outcome could shape not only the immediate payroll scenario but also the broader trust between government and the people who rely on it most.
