(Fox News) – President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a directive ordering the Department of War to keep paying U.S. troops despite the ongoing government shutdown, bypassing Congress after lawmakers failed to reach a funding deal for weeks.
The White House said the move is necessary to protect “military readiness” as the budget standoff stretched into its third week. The order, issued as National Security Presidential Memorandum-8 (NSPM-8), directs the department to use available fiscal year 2026 funds to cover military pay and allowances.
“The current appropriations lapse presents a serious and unacceptable threat to military readiness and the ability of our Armed Forces to protect and defend our Nation,” the memo states.
Trump cited his Article II powers as commander-in-chief in issuing the order, which covers active-duty troops and reservists on service orders. The directive instructs officials to use only funds that are legally tied to military pay, in coordination with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Trump instructs Pentagon to ensure troops are paid despite government shutdown https://t.co/Q7AdXkMp9p
— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) October 16, 2025
National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett spoke at an event hosted by media outlet Axios and signaled that a "clever and generous" farm bailout would be announced as soon as the government shutdown ends. https://t.co/za7q2BvzoK
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) October 16, 2025
.@StephenM on JB Pritzker: “He’s a fool and he’s a moron, but also, most importantly, he hates America… you can’t love your country, and then fight President Trump to keep murderers murdering.” pic.twitter.com/b1mESJmGYn
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 16, 2025
AWESOME! As all the PANICANS get TRIGGERED over Trump using tariffs, he just revealed why he does.
"I use it for purposes of stopping wars. I LOVE STOPPING WARS!" pic.twitter.com/ZdWHmOafjo
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) October 15, 2025
