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The Trump administration has found another $5.3 billion to pay U.S. military personnel during the ongoing government shutdown, shifting funds from several federal accounts to cover payroll, officials said Wednesday. Why It Matters While members of the armed forces continue to be paid, hundreds of thousands of other federal employees remain furloughed or are working without pay as the shutdown stretches into its 29th day. What To Know The money comes from multiple sources, including $2.5 billion redirected from the administration’s summer tax cut legislation, $1.4 billion from a military procurement account and another $1.4 billion from research and development. U.S. military personnel capture moments on their smartphones as U.S. President Donald Trump (front) arrives to give a speech aboard the aircraft carrier George Washington at the U.S. Navy base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Oct. 28, 2025. (Kyodo via AP Images) ==Kyodo A senior White House official confirmed the maneuver to the Associated Press, which was first reported by Axios, on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly. The official did not address President Donald Trump’s earlier claim that an anonymous friend donated $130 million to help pay the troops — a fraction of what is required for military payroll. It marks the second time since the shutdown began that the White House has moved money to ensure service members receive their paychecks. Earlier this month, the Trump administration used $8 billion from military research and development accounts to cover payroll, but it remains unclear whether officials are willing or able to shift funds again to pay the nation’s 1.3 million active-duty service members. Vice President JD Vance told reporters Tuesday after lunch with Senate Republicans at the Capitol, “We do think that we can continue paying the troops, at least for now. We’ve got food stamp benefits that are set to run out in a week. We’re trying to keep as much open as possible. We just need the Democrats to actually help us out.” Does the Government Shutdown Affect Military Retirement and Pensions? Military retirement pay and veterans’ pensions are not affected by the government shutdown because they are funded through mandatory spending, not annual appropriations. Retirees and survivors will continue to receive payments on schedule. However, some administrative delays could occur if federal offices handling benefits processing operate with reduced staff. What Services Are Affected by the Government Shutdown The shutdown has disrupted a range of government services, including delays in food assistance programs, passport processing, and some federal court operations. National parks and museums have reduced hours or closed entirely, while air travel has been strained by unpaid Transportation Security Administration officers and air traffic controllers. What Happens Next The administration has not indicated how long it can continue redirecting funds to sustain military pay without congressional approval. Updates: 10/29/25, 8:03 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks. This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
