Trump orders Pentagon to pay troops amid US govt shutdown

US President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that he has directed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to “use all available funds” to ensure troops receive their pay on October 15 amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.

“We have identified funds to do this, and Secretary Hegseth will use them to pay our troops,” Trump wrote.

The US federal government entered a shutdown on October 1, marking the first shutdown in



nearly seven years. Troops are at risk of not receiving their next paycheck on October 15.

Earlier on Monday, Trump indicated he’s ready to negotiate with Democrats to reopen the government as another funding bill vote in the Senate failed to break the deadlock.

The Republicans have accused Democrats of demanding healthcare subsidies for illegal immigrants, which the Democrats reject as a lie peddled by the Trump administration.