Trump orders Pete Hegseth to find funds so troops are paid amid shutdown standoff
President Donald Trump ordered Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to use “all available funds” so active-duty troops receive pay on Oct. 15, a unilateral move during the government shutdown that began Oct. 1, 2025 over ACA subsidy disputes.
- Directive: Trump ordered Secretary Pete Hegseth to use “all available funds” to pay active-duty troops on Oct. 15 — Just the News.
- Scope: The order covers military payroll only and does not extend to most federal civilian workers — supported by video reporting.
- Unanswered questions: The White House has not disclosed the exact funding source or legal mechanics — reporting by KFGO and video sources.
What the directive says and how it was announced
On Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, President Trump announced on Truth Social that he had directed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to find and use funds to keep military pay on schedule. He framed the move as an exercise of his authority as commander in chief to protect service members and their families during a political fight — reporting attributed to Just the News.
“we have identified funds to do this,”
Trump told supporters and reporters but did not specify which accounts or programs would be tapped, raising questions among reporters and budget experts about the legal and logistical mechanics of the plan (KFGO; video reporting).
Why the White House acted
The White House said the move was meant to prevent active-duty troops from missing paychecks during the shutdown. President Trump accused Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democrats of using the shutdown to “hold the military and the security of our nation hostage,” tying the dispute to demands over expanding Affordable Care Act subsidies (Just the News; The Daily Beast).
Political effect: The administration framed the action as removing an immediate lever for forcing a reopening of government — critics say it could blunt pressure on Congress and the White House to reach a full funding deal that would restore pay for many civilian federal employees (video reports; Fox News).
Legal and budget questions
Officials have not provided a clear statutory path for how the Pentagon will shift money or how long payments can continue. Experts told reporters that identifying “available funds” is complex during a lapse in appropriations. The Pentagon and the White House had not answered specific questions about which budgets or emergency authorities would be used when this reporting was published (KFGO; video sources).
Possible scenarios include temporary transfers inside the Department of Defense, tapping previously obligated but unused funds, or relying on emergency authorities. Each option has limits and could be challenged in court or by Congress (reporting and analysis).
Who is helped and who remains exposed
The president’s action is narrowly focused on active-duty military pay. It does not cover hundreds of thousands of federal civilian workers who remain furloughed or working without pay. Many of those workers provide critical services inside the United States and overseas. House Republicans had blocked a Democratic proposal that would have guaranteed military pay during the shutdown before Trump issued his directive, shaping the decision to act unilaterally (The Daily Beast; KFGO).
Political framing and reactions
Trump used the move to put pressure on Democrats and to shape public debate, accusing Senate Democrats and Chuck Schumer of downplaying the harm of the shutdown and urging them to reopen the government so talks on health care and other issues could continue (Just the News).
Reactions: Supporters praised the move as putting service members first; critics warned it could sidestep Congress’s power of the purse and weaken incentives for a negotiated end to the shutdown. Media coverage balanced immediate relief for military families with scrutiny of the political calculus (The Daily Beast; Fox News; video reports).
How this could affect the broader shutdown fight
By guaranteeing military pay, the White House removes one urgent pressure point that might have pushed some lawmakers to act faster. That could prolong the standoff over the budget and the Affordable Care Act subsidies: lawmakers who hoped to use military pay as leverage now lose some bargaining power, while furloughed civilians and contractors continue to face financial strain (reporting and analysis; KFGO).
Reporting sources
- Just the News: Trump directs Hegseth to use all available funds to pay troops
- KFGO: Trump says his administration identified funds to pay troops during shutdown
- The Daily Beast: Pete Hegseth gets Donald Trump order to pay troops despite shutdown
- Fox News: Trump tells troops every last penny coming despite ongoing government shutdown
- Video report (wdQ6RzN-Da8) and Video report (mpMmg1QjRd8)
Implications for Redding, California
Economic impact: Many military families live in and around Shasta County. If the federal move ensures troops are paid on Oct. 15, those households will avoid missed paychecks that could otherwise affect local spending at grocery stores, service businesses and landlords. Local businesses that rely on military and veteran customers could see steadier revenues. However, unpaid federal civilian workers in the region will still cut back on purchases, yielding a mixed net local effect (source reporting).
Political consequences: For conservative voters in Redding, the “Trump pays troops shutdown” message may reinforce support for a president who acts to shield service members. Local Republican leaders may use the move to argue the administration prioritizes national security. Opponents may highlight ongoing harm to federal civilian employees as a campaign issue (KFGO).
Social effects: Military families in the Redding area may feel relief at the prospect of timely pay, reducing short-term stress over bills, child care and housing. Conversely, federal contractors and civilians still face uncertainty. Local charities, churches and veteran groups may see increased demand from furloughed workers even while assisting service members (The Daily Beast).
Practical applications: Service members and families should monitor official Pentagon and Department of Defense announcements for concrete pay details. Federal civilian workers and contractors should check agency notices on furlough status, pay dates and assistance programs. Local employers and financial institutions may prepare for mixed cash flows among customers; community organizations may need to bridge gaps for furloughed workers while support for military families stabilizes (KFGO; video reporting).
Ongoing questions reporters are tracking
- Which specific accounts, budgets or authorities will be used to shift funds for military payroll (reporting).
- How long the White House plan can be sustained if the shutdown continues and whether Congress will pass new legislation.
- How many federal workers in local communities like Redding will be affected and what assistance will be available for those families (KFGO).
