President Trump Says He Has “Identified Funds” to Pay U.S. Troops During Shutdown

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Introduction

In the midst of a continuing U.S. federal government shutdown, former President Donald Trump announced that he has “identified funds” to ensure active-duty military personnel will receive their paychecks. His statement comes as lawmakers remain deadlocked over federal budget negotiations and as concerns grow over the financial well-being of service members and their families.

What Trump Announced

On October 11, 2025, Trump posted on his social media platform (Truth Social) that he would use his authority “as Commander in Chief” to direct Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to deploy any available funds to pay troops on October 15.

He said, “We have identified funds to do this, and Secretary Hegseth will use them to PAY OUR TROOPS.”

Although he did not publicly disclose the exact source of funds, Pentagon and budget officials later indicated that the funds would come from approximately $8 billion in unobligated research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) funds from the previous fiscal year.

Why This Matters

Preventing Missed Paychecks
Without action, active-duty service members faced the possibility of not being paid on schedule due to the lapse in government appropriations. Trump’s move aims to remove that risk for now.

Legal and Procedural Concerns
Redirecting funds during a shutdown raises questions under the Antideficiency Act, which prohibits federal agencies from spending money not appropriated by Congress. Critics argue that repurposing R&D funds may violate statutory rules governing appropriations.
In previous shutdowns, Congress has passed emergency or special appropriations to ensure military pay continues.

Impact on Federal Employees
Trump’s directive appears limited to military personnel; it does not extend to many non-military federal workers who are furloughed during the shutdown. These workers typically are due back pay once funding is restored.

Political Messaging & Pressure
By declaring he will fund the troops, Trump seeks to shift public pressure onto congressional Democrats—arguing they should not “hold the military hostage” amid budget disagreements.

Possible Risks & Criticism

Missing Long-Term Guarantees
If the shutdown persists, it is uncertain whether these repurposed funds will suffice to cover multiple pay periods.

Legal Pushback
Opponents may challenge whether the move is lawful under federal appropriations rules.

Unequal Treatment
The exclusion of civilian federal workers and certain branches (e.g. possibly Coast Guard) may raise fairness concerns.

Strain on Military Families
Many military households live paycheck to paycheck; any delay or uncertainty in pay can lead to deep financial stress.

Conclusion

President Trump’s announcement that he has “identified funds” to pay U.S. troops during the shutdown is an effort to shield active-duty military personnel from the fallout of the budget impasse. While the plan seems to rely on redirecting unspent R&D money, the legality and sustainability of such maneuver remain uncertain. What is clear is that this move shifts some of the spotlight—and political pressure—back to Congress to resolve the funding stalemate.

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