US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he had found a way to pay American soldiers despite the ongoing government shutdown. The shutdown is now entering its third week.
Trump said he had instructed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to release money for the troops. “I am using my authority, as commander-in-chief, to direct our secretary of war, Pete Hegseth, to use all available funds to get our troops PAID on October 15,” Trump wrote on TruthSocial.
He said he had already found the funds to make the payments. “I will not allow the Democrats to hold our military and the entire security of our nation HOSTAGE, with their dangerous government shutdown. The radical left Democrats should OPEN THE GOVERNMENT,” he added.
Shutdown Continues
The US government shutdown began on October 1. It is the first since the 35-day shutdown that started in December 2018 during Trump’s first term.
This time, Democrats are struggling to recover politically after losing both chambers of Congress in last year’s elections. Trump returned to office with strong voter support, leaving Democrats in the minority.
Troops and Workers Go Without Pay
The shutdown has left more than 1.3 million military personnel without their first paycheck this month. They were only paid for the September 21–30 period.
Around 750,000 federal workers have also been furloughed as government offices remain closed.
The Hill reported that federal workers in the US get full pay once the shutdown ends, even if they did not work. Congress passed this law after the 2018 shutdown to protect government employees.
Senate Stuck in Deadlock
The US Senate has failed to reach an agreement to end the shutdown. Trump blamed Democrats for blocking government funding and stopping services across the country.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer sounded confident despite the stalemate. He told Punchbowl News, “Every day gets better for us.”
White House Confirms Layoffs
The White House announced large-scale layoffs on Friday. A court filing showed that hundreds of federal employees lost their jobs in the Departments of Commerce, Education, and Energy.
White House budget director Russell Vought confirmed the dismissals. He wrote on social media, “RIFs have begun,” referring to the reduction-in-force process used to cut staff.
Unions Condemn the Move
Union leaders denounced the layoffs. Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), said, “It is disgraceful that the Trump administration has used the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who provide critical services to communities across the country.”
Labor groups said they would fight the decision in court. The AFL-CIO, the largest labor federation in the US, warned, “America’s unions will see you in court.”
Hegseth Supports Trump’s Order
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth backed Trump’s action to secure troop pay. He re-shared the president’s post and wrote, “President Trump delivers for the troops.”
The shutdown has deepened divisions in Washington. Trump’s decision to pay the troops has earned praise from his supporters but criticism from unions and Democrats. Federal workers remain unpaid, and both parties show no signs of compromise.