Trump Guarantees Military Pay During Government Shutdown

On September 30, 2025, President Donald Trump spoke to top U.S. military commanders at Marine Corps Base Quantico amid a federal government shutdown that has lasted three weeks. He assured that American service members would receive their paychecks on October 15, despite the ongoing budget stalemate in Congress.

Trump explained on Truth Social that his administration had “identified funds” to ensure timely payment. He instructed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to “use all available funds” to facilitate the payroll, effectively bypassing the budget delay.

According to the White House Office of Management and Budget, the administration plans to redirect around $8 billion from the Pentagon’s unused research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) funds from the previous fiscal year. These funds, which are available for two years, will temporarily cover military pay while the shutdown continues.

This decision prevents service members from missing their first paychecks during the shutdown, a scenario that could have created public concern and political backlash. However, redirecting funds already allocated for other purposes may raise legal questions, as only Congress can authorize federal spending.

Political dynamics add further complexity. Some Congressional Republicans have opposed passing a standalone bill to guarantee military pay, hoping pressure from voters will push Democrats to end the shutdown. While the Pentagon’s temporary solution uses leftover RDT&E funds, it may not be a long-term fix if the shutdown continues.

There is also uncertainty about the Coast Guard, which is funded under the Department of Homeland Security. During past shutdowns, such as in 2019, Coast Guard members experienced delays in pay, showing that they remain vulnerable in this situation.

Trump’s focus on military pay highlights the administration’s priority to support service members. At a recent Navy anniversary event, he said, “We will get our service members every last penny,” emphasizing the importance of timely compensation.

The situation illustrates the tension between executive emergency measures and Congress’s constitutional authority over spending. While troops are expected to be paid next week, bypassing normal congressional procedures could lead to legal and political challenges if the shutdown continues.