President Donald J. Trump has issued a National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM-8) authorizing the Department of War to use available funds to ensure that U.S. military personnel continue receiving pay during the ongoing government shutdown.
The directive, dated October 15, 2025, comes as the federal government enters its fifteenth day without approved annual appropriations — including those for military pay and allowances. Congressional negotiations have reportedly reached a stalemate, raising the possibility that troops would miss their upcoming paychecks.
Calling the situation “a serious and unacceptable threat to military readiness,” President Trump ordered the Secretary of War, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), to redirect any funds appropriated for Fiscal Year 2026 that could “reasonably and logically” be used to cover active-duty and reserve pay.
The memorandum emphasizes that maintaining military pay is critical to national defense and the operational stability of the Armed Forces. Trump also instructed that, once appropriations are restored, funding accounts should be adjusted to maintain consistency with pre-shutdown spending plans.
This rare wartime-style directive underscores the administration’s priority to safeguard military personnel from the impacts of political gridlock in Washington, ensuring continued readiness and morale across all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
