U.S. President Donald Trump makes remarks during the Navy 250 Celebration aboard the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier on October 5, 2025 in Norfolk, Virginia. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
While active-duty troops continue to report for duty, their paychecks are frozen until funding is restored. Non-essential civilian War Department employees, including thousands who support base operations and logistics, have been furloughed.
Meanwhile, military support programs — including child care centers, on-base commissaries, and other family services — have been scaled back at several installations, forcing families to shoulder unexpected costs.
During a Sept. 30 speech at Quantico, before the nation's top generals, Trump said he was backing a 3.8% pay raise for every servicemember. "Something you weren't getting from the past administration," Trump added.
SHUTDOWN EXPLAINED: WHO WORKS, WHO DOESN'T AND HOW MUCH IT COSTS
First Lady Melania Trump claps as U.S. President Donald Trump raises his fist after making remarks during the Navy 250 Celebration at the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier on October 5, 2025 in Norfolk, Virginia. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
The Trump administration has placed the blame squarely on Democrats for the government shutdown, which is expected to trigger sweeping layoffs across the federal workforce.
Before departing for Norfolk, Trump accused Democrats in a Truth Social post Friday evening of enabling the shutdown and attempting "to destroy this wonderful celebration of the U.S. Navy’s Birthday."
"I believe, ‘THE SHOW MUST GO ON!’" Trump wrote.
Amanda covers the intersection of business and geopolitics for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-tells-troops-every-last-penny-coming-despite-ongoing-government-shutdown-affecting-military-pay