US military will use R&D money to pay troops if shutdown persists

[LetMyPeopleVote]

trump cannot take congressionally approved funds and use these funds for another purpose.

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https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-his-administration-identified-funds-pay-troops-during-shutdown-2025-10-11/

Oct 11 (Reuters) - The Trump administration said on Saturday it would pay troops during the federal government shutdown by tapping unused funds that had been set aside for research and development.

"I am using my authority, as Commander in Chief, to direct our Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to use all available funds to get our Troops PAID on October 15th," President Donald Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

Trump did not identify funding sources or the total amount that would be used for troop salaries, and the White House did not respond to a request for comment. But a Pentagon official said that about $8 billion originally slated for research, development, testing and evaluation would be used to pay members of the military if the shutdown continues after October 15.

The trouble is that this move violates the law

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[DenaliDemocrat]

1. That's illegal as fuck. The Purpose Amendment

Clearly states that funds can only be used for the purpose they were appropriated to fund. Our damned courts better prosecute this asshole if he does it.

[underpants]

2. Why even have a legislature?

[AZJonnie]

4. Courts don't prosecute. It would be on the DoJ to do so. And, well, even before IQ47

a POTUS being prosecuted for anything has been a pretty tough sell (unless it's for a BJ).

But with THIS lot? After the SCOTUS immunity ruling? Less than zero % chance I'm afraid.

By commandeering the DOJ, and all the formerly independent agencies like SEC, FCC, et al, and having Congress and SCOTUS in the palm of his hand, the IQ47 regime has procured for itself virtually unlimited power.

[Irish_Dem]

3. Warfare is changing dramatically right now into more technology heavy strategies.

This is not the time to take money out of military R and D.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

5. trump and Johnson are having to use this illegal tactic to avoid calling the House back

Democrats are willing to pass a standalone bill to pay troops but that would mean that the House would have to come back