Nationwide — Trump has ordered the Pentagon to use “all available funds” to ensure U.S. troops get paid on October 15, even as the government shutdown continues to leave hundreds of thousands of federal workers without pay or furloughed.
According to Atlanta News First, the order came through a social media post where Trump said he was acting to prevent troops from missing their paychecks. He directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to access Pentagon funds to cover salaries, saying the military “will get paid on October 15.”
“We’ll take care of it. Our military is always going to be taken care of,” he added.
The decision eases one major concern during the shutdown but also removes a key pressure point that could have pushed Congress to act. With troop pay now secured, the standoff between Democrats and Republicans may stretch on. The White House budget office has already begun layoffs, leaving many civilian employees without pay.
The Pentagon confirmed that about $8 billion in leftover research and development funds from the previous fiscal year will be used to issue mid-month paychecks if the shutdown continues beyond October 15. It’s still unclear whether the directive applies to the U.S. Coast Guard, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime.
Around 1.3 million active-duty service members had faced the risk of missed paychecks, raising concern among military families who depend on steady income. Although federal law guarantees back pay once the government reopens, many families face financial strain during shutdowns.
The shutdown began on October 1 after Democrats blocked a short-term spending bill that did not include an extension for Affordable Care Act subsidies. Trump and Republican leaders said they’re open to discussing those subsidies, but only after the government resumes full operations.
For now, both parties remain firm on their positions, leaving no clear timeline for when the shutdown will finally end.