Amid the ongoing federal shutdown, President Trump has directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to “use all available funds” to ensure active-duty U.S. military personnel are paid on October 15.
Trump, invoking his authority as commander-in-chief, emphasized that “our brave troops will miss the paychecks they are rightfully due” unless a new funding deal is reached. He also sharply criticized Senate Democrats, especially Chuck Schumer, for perpetuating the impasse and accused them of holding the military “hostage.”
The administration identified roughly $8 billion in unused research, development, testing, and evaluation funds within the Pentagon as a possible source for issuing the paychecks, should the shutdown continue.
This move seeks to shield service members from financial disruption during the standoff but does not extend to civilian federal workers furloughed by the funding lapse.