The Pentagon will use research and development funds to pay troops during the government shutdown

Trump said in a social media post that he was acting because “our brave troops will lose well-deserved pay on October 15.”

The Republican president’s directive removes one pressure point that could have forced Congress to act, likely ensuring that the shutdown — now in its 11th day — extends into a third week and possibly beyond. But no similar measure appears imminent for federal employees who also work without pay Thousands are now being laid offDuring the cessation of government operations. The White House Budget Office began layoffs on Friday.

Trump blamed Democrats and said he was exercising his authority as commander in chief to direct Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth “to use all available funds to pay our troops on October 15.” The Republican president added: “We have identified the funds needed to do this, and Secretary Hegseth will use them to pay our troops.”

US military service members were at risk of not receiving their next paycheck on Wednesday after the government shutdown on October 1, the start of the federal budget cycle. The United States has about 1.3 million active-duty personnel, and the prospect of troops remaining without pay was a focal point when lawmakers on Capitol Hill discussed the negative impact of the shutdown.

Trump did not say where he gets the money from.

One possible source is the billions of dollars pumped into the Defense Department under Trump’s massive tax and spending cuts bill he signed into law in July. The Congressional Budget Office said such a move was possible.

A spokesman for the White House Office of Management and Budget said Pentagon funds for research and development will be used to pay salaries.

Federal employees typically get their back wages after the shutdown ends, as is now required under a law Trump signed during his first term. He recently raised the idea of ​​not compensating for lost salaries.

It was not clear whether the president’s directives apply to the US Coast Guard, which is a branch of the US armed forces but is overseen by the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime.

Nation Third lockdown in 12 years It has once again raised levels of anxiety among service members and their families because those in uniform work without pay. While they will receive back pay once the impasse ends, many military families are living paycheck to paycheck.

During previous lockdowns, Congress Legislation passed To ensure that soldiers continue to receive their salaries, but discussion of a similar move by lawmakers appears to have failed.

When asked earlier this week whether he would support a bill to pay troops, Trump said: “It probably will happen.”

“We will take care of it,” he said Wednesday. “Our military will always be taken care of.”

The shutdown began on October 1 after Democrats rejected short-term funding reform and demanded that the bill include an extension of federal support for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. The expiration of this support at the end of the year will result in monthly cost increases for millions of people.

Trump and Republican leaders have said they are open to negotiations over health benefits, but insist the government must reopen first.

Both sides appear to be sticking to their positions, making it unclear when or how the lockdown will end.

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