Military Pay Protected as Civilian Workers Face Layoffs and Missed Checks
President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he has directed the Department of Defense to use “all available funds” to ensure U.S. troops receive their paychecks on Wednesday, despite the ongoing government shutdown.
Trump said on social media that he issued the directive because “our Brave Troops will miss the paychecks they are rightfully due on October 15th.” The move guarantees service members their pay during the lapse in government operations but leaves hundreds of thousands of civilian federal workers without relief.
Associated Press
Shutdown Enters Third Week with No Broader Fix in Sight
The order removes one of the key pressure points that could have forced Congress into action, likely extending the shutdown — now in its 11th day — into a third week or longer.
While military personnel will continue to receive pay, thousands of federal employees remain furloughed or working without compensation. The White House budget office began issuing layoff notices Friday, affecting workers across multiple agencies as the standoff between Congress and the administration continues.
Growing Strain on Federal Workforce
Union leaders and policy analysts warned that the temporary fix could deepen morale and economic strain among non-military federal employees. Many are now without income as essential services slow and backlogs grow.
No similar directive appears forthcoming for civilian workers, leaving them in limbo as negotiations in Washington stall over spending and border priorities.
