Trump orders Pentagon to use 'all available funds' to pay Oct. 15 troop salaries; OMB says DoD R&D funds will be tapped
President Trump directed the Pentagon to use “all available funds” to ensure service members are paid on the Oct. 15 payday despite the government shutdown, posting the order on Truth Social and pledging troops would get “every last penny.” The White House OMB said the Defense Department will tap research-and-development funds (two‑year R&D accounts) to cover pay; it remains unclear whether the Coast Guard is included, and some outlets referenced a CBO letter suggesting a legal path via mandatory funding in the 2025 reconciliation act.
Military
Politics
📌 Key Facts
- President Trump pledged service members would receive “every last penny” and posted on Truth Social directing the Pentagon to “use all available funds” to get troops paid on Oct. 15; administration allies amplified the order (e.g., Pete Hegseth on X).
- The White House Office of Management and Budget told the Pentagon it should tap “all available funds” — specifically Defense research and development (R&D) accounts — to cover the Oct. 15 military payroll; OMB noted those R&D funds are two‑year funds.
- The directive was aimed specifically at ensuring the Oct. 15 payday so active‑duty troops would not miss their first full paycheck that would have occurred without action.
- The Christian Science Monitor cited a CBO letter and reported that mandatory funding from the 2025 reconciliation act has been referenced as a legal pathway to justify paying troops during the shutdown.
- It remains unclear whether the Coast Guard — which falls under the Department of Homeland Security in peacetime — is covered by the Pentagon directive.
- The government shutdown has produced operational impacts across the Defense Department: nonessential civilian DoD employees have been furloughed and family services (child care, commissaries) at several installations have been scaled back.
- As the lapse continued, OMB began federal worker layoffs.
- Trump reiterated backing for a 3.8% across‑the‑board pay raise for servicemembers and tied that proposal to his administration.
📰 Sources (5)
Trump directs Pentagon to use 'available funds' to pay military during shutdown
New information:
- White House official told NPR the Defense Department will use research and development funds and noted those are two‑year funds.
- Trump’s directive was posted on Truth Social with the phrasing “use all available funds to get our Troops PAID on October 15th.”
- Pete Hegseth amplified the order on X, stating, “President Trump delivers for the troops.”
- Article reiterates the immediate risk date: active‑duty troops’ first full missed paychecks would have been Oct. 15 without action.
- Trump previously pledged at a Norfolk Navy event: “We will get our service members every last penny… Don’t worry about it.”
Trump directs Pentagon to use ‘all available funds’ to pay troops despite shutdown
New information:
- White House OMB says Pentagon research and development funds will be used to cover troop pay during the shutdown.
- The directive targets the Oct. 15 payday to ensure service members are paid despite the lapse in appropriations.
- It remains unclear whether the Coast Guard (under DHS in peacetime) is covered by the directive.
- Article notes OMB began federal worker layoffs on Friday as the shutdown continues.
Trump says U.S. troops will be paid despite government shutdown
New information:
- Moves from a general promise to a concrete directive: DoD ordered to use "all available funds" to pay troops on Oct. 15.
- CBO letter is referenced to substantiate a legal path via mandatory funding from the 2025 reconciliation act.
Trump tells troops 'every last penny' coming despite ongoing government shutdown affecting military pay
New information:
- President Donald Trump explicitly pledged service members would receive 'every last penny' of pay despite the government shutdown.
- Trump reiterated backing for a 3.8% across‑the‑board pay raise for servicemembers and tied it to his administration.
- The article details operational impacts: non‑essential civilian War Department employees furloughed and scaled‑back family services (child care, commissaries) at several installations; notes the shutdown had entered its fifth full day.