Trump orders funds to pay troops amid federal shutdown
WASHINGTON, Oct 11, 2025 – U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that his administration has identified funds to pay troops during the government shutdown and has ordered the Pentagon to tap “all available funds” so that service members receive their paychecks on October 15.
He delivered the announcement via a post on his Truth Social account, saying: “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.”
Below is a fuller account of how the administration aims to keep paying military personnel even as many federal offices remain shuttered.
Key of Contents
Background: Shutdown & troop pay deadline
When the federal government funding lapsed on October 1, a partial shutdown went into effect. Congress and the White House failed to pass a continuing resolution, creating a stalemate over federal appropriations.
In past shutdowns, Congress has sometimes passed separate legislation to ensure active-duty military are paid — for instance, the Pay Our Military Act during the 2013 closure. The looming question this time: will troops be paid October 15?
If Congress does not act or funding is not secured, about 1.3 million active-duty military personnel and hundreds of thousands of defense civilians risk missing pay.
Trump’s announcement aims to forestall that risk by having the Pentagon use internal funds to meet payroll.
What Trump is ordering: Use all available funds
Trump’s directive is that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (referred to as “Secretary of War” in his post) should draw from any funds available within the Pentagon to pay troops.
The president made clear that, even in a shutdown, he intends to fulfill his role as Commander in Chief and keep military compensation uninterrupted.
At this point, he did not supply a specific breakdown of which line items or accounts would be tapped, nor did he explain how long such internal funding could sustain troop pay.
Stakeholders & reactions
Congress and Democrats
Lawmakers, particularly Democrats, have responded cautiously. Some argue that Trump’s move skirts Congress’s constitutional role over federal spending. Others question whether Pentagon accounts have sufficient unused balances or flexibility.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democrats warned that relying on internal funds could violate appropriations law or set dangerous precedents.
Public opinion & military neutrality
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 83 % of Americans believe the military should remain politically neutral, avoiding involvement in domestic policy disputes.
This underscores concerns that militarizing funding decisions could blur the line between national defense and political maneuvering.
Federal workers & furloughed employees
While Trump assures that troops will be paid, thousands of federal civilian workers have already received layoff notices amid the shutdown.
Some analysts and unions worry whether those furloughed will receive back pay once the shutdown ends — a contentious issue that has drawn legal scrutiny.
How plausible is it that the Pentagon can pay troops?
There are practical and legal challenges:
- Pentagon budgets are generally tightly allocated, with limited flexibility once appropriations are set.
- Some funds (e.g. contracts, operations) may already be committed, limiting what can be reallocated.
- Legal constraints: constitutional or statutory law may limit what internal funds can be diverted during a lapse in appropriations.
- Duration: Internal funds may only last for a short period; if the shutdown drags on, more drastic measures might be needed.
If internal funds run dry, Congress may still need to step in and pass emergency legislation.
What this means for October 15 pay
If Trump’s plan works, military personnel should receive their paychecks on October 15 despite the shutdown.
But the success of this effort depends on:
- Exactly how much funding the Pentagon can divert internally
- Whether legal or congressional challenges arise
- How long the shutdown lasts — prolonged standoff could exhaust internal reserves
- Whether Congress eventually passes continuing resolution or separate military pay bill
People Also Ask
Will troops be paid during a government shutdown?
Yes — in prior shutdowns, Congress has often passed legislation (such as the Pay Our Military Act in 2013) to ensure active-duty military receive pay. This time, Trump is ordering the Pentagon to use existing funds to cover troops.
What funds will pay troops during shutdown?
Trump says his administration has “identified funds” within Pentagon accounts and directed Defense Secretary Hegseth to use all available resources. However, the specific accounts or line items have not been publicly disclosed.
Will federal civilian employees also get paid?
Not automatically. Many federal civilian workers have been furloughed or laid off during the shutdown. Their pay and back pay depend on congressional action and legal interpretations.
What happens if internal Pentagon funds run out?
If internal funds are exhausted and the shutdown continues, Congress may need to intervene with emergency funding legislation or pass a continuing resolution to restore appropriations.
Broader implications
- Presidential power in budget impasse: Trump’s move highlights how the executive branch may try to stretch authority during funding gaps.
- Precedent: If internal fund diversion becomes normalized, future administrations may rely on it instead of seeking congressional approval.
- Political pressure: The guarantee of troop pay may be used as leverage in shutdown negotiations.
- Legal challenges: Congress or outside parties might sue if appropriations law is perceived to be violated.
- Morale & military readiness: Ensuring pay continuity is critical for troop morale — any interruption could affect readiness and retention.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1: Can the Pentagon legally divert funds during a shutdown?
A: It’s a gray area. Some internal reallocations may be legally defensible, but sweeping or long-term diversion without congressional approval can raise constitutional and appropriations law concerns.
Q2: Has this strategy been used before?
A: Not on this scale. In past shutdowns, Congress itself intervened (e.g. Pay Our Military Act 2013) rather than having the Pentagon unilaterally shift funds.
Q3: What if Congress rejects Trump’s directive?
A: Congress retains the constitutional “power of the purse,” and could pass legislation to override or limit such fund diversions. Legal and political backlash may also follow.
Q4: Could this affect troop readiness?
A: Interruption to pay or uncertainty could harm morale, retention, or the ability to carry out missions, especially if the shutdown drags on.
Q5: When will this matter most?
A: The critical date is October 15 — pay day for active-duty troops. If funding isn’t secured by then, paychecks may be delayed without intervention.