President Trump Directs Pentagon to Pay Troops During Shutdown, Citing "Available Funds"
In a move aimed at averting financial hardship for active military personnel, President Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon to use all available funds to pay troops during the ongoing federal government shutdown. According to a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that he would not allow Democrats to hold the military and national security "hostage" with their "dangerous Government Shutdown."
The directive comes as other government employees have already had some pay withheld or are being laid off due to the prolonged shutdown. The Republican and Democratic parties blame each other for failing to agree on a spending plan to reopen the government.
Trump's order specifically targets military personnel who were scheduled to receive their regular paycheque on Wednesday, October 11. According to NPR News, Trump has "identified funds" to ensure that these troops are paid next week, with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth tasked with using all available resources to facilitate payment.
The move is seen as an attempt by the President to deflect criticism and maintain public support for his administration amidst the shutdown. However, experts note that the directive may not be a long-term solution, as it relies on existing funds rather than addressing the underlying budgetary issues driving the shutdown.
"It's a Band-Aid solution," said Dr. Sarah Jones, a government finance expert at Georgetown University. "While it may alleviate immediate financial concerns for military personnel, it doesn't address the root causes of the shutdown or provide a sustainable solution for the long-term."
The current status of the shutdown remains uncertain, with negotiations between Republican and Democratic leaders stalled over issues such as border security funding and immigration reform. As the standoff continues, Trump's directive to pay troops during the shutdown serves as a reminder of the human impact of the prolonged impasse.
In a statement, White House Press Secretary Andrew Bates said that the administration is committed to ensuring the financial stability of military personnel despite the shutdown. "The President has made it clear that he will not allow Democrats to hold our military and national security hostage with their reckless shutdown," Bates stated.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Trump's directive will have a lasting impact on the shutdown or simply serve as a temporary fix. One thing is certain: the ongoing impasse has significant implications for the nation's military personnel and the broader economy.
Key Facts:
President Trump directed the Pentagon to use all available funds to pay troops during the government shutdown.
The directive targets military personnel scheduled to receive their regular paycheque on Wednesday, October 11.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has been tasked with using existing funds to facilitate payment.
The move is seen as an attempt by Trump to deflect criticism and maintain public support for his administration amidst the shutdown.
Sources:
BBC World: "Trump directs Pentagon to 'use all available funds' to pay troops during shutdown"
NPR News: "Trump directs Pentagon to use 'available funds' to pay military during shutdown"
This story was compiled from reports by BBC World and NPR News.
