Trump authorizes troop pay amid government shutdown

[Jose Garcia]

Source: MSNBC

President Donald Trump said Saturday that he was directing Defense Department officials to pay members of the military next week, despite the ongoing federal government shutdown.

“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 in a post on Truth Social.

This comes as Trump administration officials and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have voiced concerns that members of the military would not receive a paycheck on Oct. 15 due to the shutdown, which has lasted for 10 days so far.

Representatives the Defense Department did not immediately respond to NBC News’ requests for comment Saturday.

Read more: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna237049

[littlemissmartypants]

1. Maybe a couple of brain cells between three or more of these criminal-idiots in the regime* actually found a synapse.

It'd be a shame to have a mutiny (not really) because of not paying the troops they seem so ready to hijack and use against everyone else in America.

*May they all burn in hell. Or rot in their recliners. Whatever comes first.

[EarthFirst]

2. I'm willing to bet it comes from CDC research and development allocations...

…the mass RIF notice frees up a handsome sum.

Sigh.

[travelingthrulife]

12. 'Found some money" Maybe it is good that JD humps couches, the loose change rolls out.

[Wifes husband]

3. He does not have the authority to do this

I am in favor of paying the troops, but this is a violation of the anti deficiency act. But, I guess none of that matters any more

[Rebl2]

4. Why not

take it from all the tariff money he is supposedly taking in.

[travelingthrulife]

13. Because he is spending that like a drunken sailor in Tijuana.

Golf, ballrooms, statues, wrestling events, military parades...

[Silent Type]

5. Bet money troops will be paid.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

6. This stunt is illegal and violates the impoundment act

Link to tweet

This is why no one elected @RussVought47 to anything. HE IS FUCKING DUMB.

You cannot take CONGRESSIONALLY APPROPRIATED FUNDS and use them for whatever you fucking want. It's ILLEGAL. Your ass should be sent to GITMO for all the crimes you're committing

[Jose Garcia]

14. Might not be the best PR move to ask a court to stop the gov't from paying troops

[LetMyPeopleVote]

16. The Democrats would be happy to pass a bill to fund the troops

To pass that bill, Johnson would have to call the House back.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

7. US military will use R&D money to pay troops if shutdown persists

trump cannot take congressionally approved funds and use these funds for another purpose.

Link to tweet

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-his-administration-identified-funds-pay-troops-during-shutdown-2025-10-11/

Oct 11 (Reuters) - The Trump administration said on Saturday it would pay troops during the federal government shutdown by tapping unused funds that had been set aside for research and development.

"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," President Donald Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

Trump did not identify funding sources or the total amount that would be used for troop salaries, and the White House did not respond to a request for comment. But a Pentagon official said that about $8 billion originally slated for research, development, testing and evaluation would be used to pay members of the military if the shutdown continues after October 15.

The trouble is that this move violates the law

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[cstanleytech]

8. Isn't that illegal as Congress is the one with the power of the purse isn't it?

[Polybius]

9. He known not to piss of the troops

This way they will be on his side no matter what.

[Queso Delicioso]

10. Guess he's worried about getting junta'd

But for that, the joint chiefs would have to have a fucking set of balls between them.

[DallasNE]

11. "We Have Identified Funds To Do This"

So, Trump, on the source of the funds, are we just to take your word for it. I’m betting it is the tariffs. Something else Congress hasn’t approved, but he just does it anyway.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

15. trump and Johnson are having to use this illegal tactic to avoid calling the House back

Democrats are willing to pass a standalone bill to pay troops but that would mean that the House would have to come back