Trump orders Hegseth to pay troops amid shutdown standoff, rails at Schumer as military families feel strain
WASHINGTON (High Desert News Online) – President Donald Trump ordered Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to ensure service members receive Oct. 15 paychecks amid the 11th-day government shutdown, promising back pay and raises while blaming Democrats for the impasse tied to healthcare policy.
- Trump instructed use of “all available funds” to cover payroll on Oct. 15 and pledged back pay and planned raises after the shutdown (identified funds to pay troops during shutdown; Trump directs Hegseth use all available funds to pay troops).
- Shutdown roots: The lapse began Oct. 1 in a partisan fight over Affordable Care Act subsidies and healthcare funding, complicating appropriations votes (shutdown coverage; Hegseth’s remarks on Schumer).
- Operational strain: Active-duty troops continue to report for duty without pay while many civilians are furloughed and base services are scaled back (report on military pay impacts).
Trump’s directive and public remarks
On Truth Social, President Trump announced he had instructed Secretary Hegseth to make sure paychecks for service members are issued on Oct. 15. He said his team had “identified funds” to cover payroll but did not outline the accounts or the legal mechanism during a lapse in appropriations (identified funds to pay troops during shutdown).
At a Navy anniversary event, Trump told sailors and Marines they would receive “every last penny” and reiterated an “across-the-board” pay raise once the shutdown ends — echoing an earlier 3.8% raise pledge. He publicly blamed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democrats, saying he would not let them “hold our Military … HOSTAGE” (Trump tells troops every last penny coming; administration directive details).
What is the standoff about?
The government shutdown began at 12:01 a.m. ET on Oct. 1 after lawmakers failed to pass a stopgap spending bill. The impasse centers on healthcare policy: Democrats want to extend and expand subsidies for Affordable Care Act purchasers that are set to expire by the end of 2025; Republicans oppose that expansion, arguing it would broaden taxpayer-funded benefits for immigrants who entered the country illegally (shutdown coverage; Hegseth’s critique of Democrats).
Senate rules effectively require 60 votes to advance major spending bills, making Democratic support pivotal to overcome filibuster obstacles even though Republicans control both chambers.
Legislative moves and military pay proposals
Before the president’s directive, House Republicans blocked a separate Democratic proposal that would have guaranteed military pay during the shutdown, leaving lawmakers divided and raising pressure on the White House to act (report on House actions).
The White House says it will continue to push a short-term funding bill through the House and has asked Democrats to support a House-passed continuing resolution to fund the government through late November, with healthcare negotiations to follow (administration’s CR request).
Administration and Pentagon response
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth echoed the president’s urgency in remarks and interviews, castigating Senate Democrats and labeling the stalemate a “Chuck Schumer special.” He warned the shutdown would degrade readiness over time and stressed that while training can continue briefly, extended pauses and unpaid personnel would reduce mission capability (Hegseth’s interviews).
“Joining the military is not a lucrative choice … they also need to ‘pay the bills’ and support families,” Hegseth said, highlighting immediate strain on military households.
Operational effects and military families
Active-duty troops continue to report for duty but many have not been paid since the funding lapse began; thousands of non-essential civilian Defense Department employees have been furloughed. At some bases, services for families — child care centers, commissaries and family programs — have been scaled back or closed, forcing families to seek costly alternatives (coverage of base impacts).
Impact on lower-paid enlisted members: Many live paycheck to paycheck; the administration’s promise of back pay may reassure, but the immediate cash shortfall is acute for households covering rent, child care and other expenses.
Questions about funding and legal authority
The White House has not specified which accounts or authorities it will use to make Oct. 15 payrolls. Trump said his administration had “identified funds,” but officials have not provided details on sources, amounts or the legal authority for obligating money during a lapse in appropriations, prompting questions from lawmakers and legal experts (coverage of funding questions).
Implications for The High Desert, California
Economic: The High Desert hosts many military families, veterans and civilian defense workers. Delayed pay or furloughs could suppress local retail sales, stress landlords and hurt small businesses dependent on military customers.
Political: In a moderately conservative area, constituents with family in uniform will press elected officials for clear plans to protect pay and base services; the standoff could influence local voter sentiment.
Social and practical: Military families could face harder choices on child care, schooling and housing. Local charities, churches and governments should coordinate contingency aid — food banks, emergency rental support and flexible local policies can help bridge short-term gaps.
Reporting notes and sources
This article draws on official statements and reporting from multiple outlets, including Times Media Service coverage of the president’s directive (identified funds to pay troops during shutdown), interviews and commentary from Secretary Hegseth and other administration figures (Hegseth blasts Democrats; Trump tells troops every last penny coming), and reporting on congressional moves that preceded the action (Daily Beast on House dynamics; Just The News on directive).
The president’s statements and the administration’s plan that address “Government shutdown military pay” and that “Trump pays troops during shutdown” respond to an immediate political and financial challenge, but details remain thin on how payments will be funded or guaranteed. For military families in the High Desert and nationwide, the short-term promise of pay may ease anxiety — yet uncertainty persists until Congress or the administration provides clearer documentation and legal authority for disbursements (further reporting).
