Trump says military members will be paid despite government shutdown

President claims he found a way to pay troops and directed Pentagon chief to release funds on 15 October

Donald Trump claimed on Saturday that he had found a way to pay US military troops despite the ongoing federal government shutdown, saying he had instructed his defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, to release funds.

Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote: 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."