Trump Signs Memo Expanding His Authority to Spend Federal Money - NYT

[In It to Win It]

NYT - Gift Link

President Trump on Wednesday signed a memorandum significantly expanding his administration’s authority to repurpose unspent federal funds to pay members of the military during the government shutdown, escalating his challenge to the authority of Congress on spending matters.

Mr. Trump’s memorandum gives Pete Hegseth, the defense secretary, wide authority to repurpose funds, even though no such permission has been granted by Congress.

It states that Mr. Hegseth, in coordination with the White House budget office, should use “any funds appropriated by the Congress that remain available for expenditure in fiscal year 2026 to accomplish the scheduled disbursement of military pay.” It says such funds should have “a reasonable, logical relationship to the pay and allowances of military personnel, consistent with applicable law.”

Some Democrats have balked at the way Mr. Trump has repurposed money during the shutdown, arguing that his actions are most likely illegal and undercut Congress’s constitutional power.

But Republicans have been daring Democrats to enter a political fight over the issue of military pay.

That absolutely isn’t how it works.

- me to Trump … and the NYT

— Chris Geidner (@chrisgeidner.bsky.social) 2025-10-16T01:36:33.087Z

[wcmagumba]

1. But, but, but, doesn't Congress control the purse strings?

I guess not anymore...

[dalton99a]

2. Trump can order the Treasury to move $500 billion to his secret bank account tomorrow

and there is nothing anyone can do about it

Besides it's an official act, which gives him presidential immunity

[Fiendish Thingy]

5. If you say so. Nt

[markodochartaigh]

7. Well,

it's the supremacist court which would say so. But the people who carry out his orders don't have immunity.

[dalton99a]

11. He can pardon them.

The whole gang won't spend a day in jail.

[dweller]

3. I am signing this memo I wrote to give me the power over all federal funds

of the US government to spend as I see fit .

do I have that right ?
😐



✌🏻

[underpants]

4. As long as it's signed by Epstein's Mother

[Fiendish Thingy]

6. I can't wait for the next Dem president to repurpose funds for whatever the fuck they want

Go on a rescission rampage, and repurpose the funds for the whole laundry list of Dem priorities.

Ignore the Supreme Court, tell congress “don’t like it? Impeach me then! Can’t stop, won’t stop, until/unless you and the states ratify an amendment to the Constitution that severely restricts a President’s Article 2 powers - kill the unitary executive theory, and then and only then will I stop! In the meantime, Fuck all Y’all- I’m going to build some abortion clinics!”

[markodochartaigh]

8. Unless there is a huge Blue Wave

which is sustained through several elections, the Democratic president would likely have to act in unprecedented ways just to start to get the US back to where we were last year.

[Fiendish Thingy]

9. The suffering yet to come May unite us all against Trumpism and the GOP

Well, 80% of us anyway, but that will be enough.

[Initech]

10. I am signing this memo - I want him and his fucking criminal thug regime ousted and arrested immediately!