Nameless $130 million donation for troops faces authorized hurdles

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The Department of War acquired an nameless donation of $130 million Thursday to go towards paying U.S. troops through the government shutdown — however Congress could have to become involved for it to truly get within the palms of service members attributable to authorized limitations.

"On October 23, 2025, the Division of Battle accepted an nameless donation of $130 million beneath its normal reward acceptance authority," Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell mentioned in a press release to Fox Information Digital Friday. "The donation was made on the situation that or not it's used to offset the price of Service members' salaries and advantages. We're grateful for this donor's help after Democrats opted to withhold pay from troops."

But it surely’s unclear how the Trump administration can legally use the funds to pay troops without Congress’ involvement .

President Donald Trump and U.S. Navy Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Steven Gilland take heed to the nationwide anthem earlier than Trump delivers the graduation handle on the 2025 commencement ceremony on the US Navy Academy West Level on Might 24, 2025, in West Level, New York. (Charley Triballeau/Agence France-Presse)

Whereas the federal government could settle for normal donations that go towards normal funds obtainable to the federal government, Congress is the one who should applicable that cash to go towards federal workers’ salaries, based on Romina Boccia, the director of funds and entitlement coverage on the Cato Institute, a libertarian assume tank in Washington.

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"The division is welcome to acknowledge this donor's intent however that doesn't change the authorized restrictions on Congress needing to applicable funds to pay army salaries," Boccia mentioned in a Friday electronic mail to Fox Information Digital.

Boccia mentioned that the army is simply permitted to just accept non-public donations to help establishments like army faculties, libraries, and museums, or to help service members or civilian workers who're wounded or killed within the line of obligation.

Altering present restrictions would additionally require congressional intervention, she mentioned.

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President Donald Trump speaks throughout a go to with Michigan Air Nationwide Guard Troops April 29, 2025, at Selfridge Air Nationwide Guard Base, Michigan. (Scott Olson/Getty Photographs)

"The one strategy to get round this restriction is that if Congress determined to recategorize troop pay as obligatory or direct spending," Boccia mentioned.

Mandatory spending doesn't require annual approval from Congress and applies to applications like Social Safety and Medicare, based on the Treasury.

Congress has the facility of the purse, and Article I of the U.S. Structure establishes that Congress is the department of presidency with the authority to handle the federal funds.

TRUMP INSTRUCTS PENTAGON TO ENSURE TROOPS ARE PAID DESPITE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

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President Donald Trump introduced Thursday {that a} "buddy" of his despatched the federal government a $130 million verify to go towards paying U.S. service members as their paychecks are on maintain because of the funds stalemate.

"He referred to as us the opposite day and mentioned, 'I would prefer to contribute any shortfall you've due to the Democrat shutdown. I’d prefer to contribute personally, as a result of I really like the army and I really like the nation,'" Trump mentioned Thursday.

It’s unclear who the donor is, and Trump mentioned he wouldn't determine the person until he acquired permission to take action, noting he didn’t consider the person wished any recognition.

The White Home referred Fox Information Digital to the Division of Battle and the Division of the Treasury when requested for extra particulars.

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The Treasury Division didn't instantly reply to a request for remark from Fox Information Digital.

Trump beforehand signed an order permitting active-duty troops to obtain their paycheck earlier in October by funneling unused Pentagon funds initially allotted for analysis and improvement. Nonetheless, Republicans have mentioned the answer is simply non permanent.