President Trump Directs Defense Secretary to Ensure Military Pay During Government Shutdown
President Donald Trump has instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to ensure that military service members receive their pay despite the government shutdown. Trump blamed the shutdown on "radical left Democrats" and emphasized the importance of ensuring that troops receive their pay on time. The ongoing government shutdown, now in its 11th day, is a result of disagreements among lawmakers on health care policy. Democrats are pushing for funding measures that include an extension to Affordable Care Act subsidies, while Republicans are standing firm against these demands and advocating for a temporary funding bill. Trump urged the Democrats to prioritize reopening the government so that they can address healthcare and other important issues together.