The Pentagon Accepts an Anonymous Donation of $130 Million for Soldiers' Salaries Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown
In an unusual context, the Pentagon announced its acceptance of an anonymous donation of $130 million, aimed at helping cover the salaries of U.S. military personnel during the current government shutdown. This came after President Donald Trump publicly indicated that a "friend" had offered to make this gift.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Barnell clarified in an official statement: "The department accepted the donation under the 'Authority to Accept Gifts for the Public'". He emphasized that "the donation was made on the condition that it be used to offset the costs of salaries and benefits for military service members."
President Trump revealed the donation during an event at the White House, stating that a friend of his donated a sum of money for this purpose, but he refrained from disclosing the identity, "out of respect for their wishes".
Despite the large amount, reports indicate that this gift represents only a limited contribution in the face of the billions needed to compensate over 1.3 million individuals in the armed forces. Additionally, accepting such private donations to cover soldiers' salaries raises potential legal issues, as U.S. media has pointed out that it "may constitute a violation of the Antideficiency Act, which prohibits federal agencies from spending money beyond what Congress has approved or from accepting voluntary services".
In the search for solutions, Trump previously signed an executive order directing the Pentagon to use unspent funds from research and development budgets to cover salaries. However, congressional officials, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, warned that "the reallocation of funds is only a temporary solution", expressing concerns that soldiers "may not receive their pay soon unless Congress passes a temporary spending bill."
The current partial shutdown has been ongoing since midnight on October 1, due to disputes between the Republican and Democratic parties over spending provisions. This shutdown places Trump at the forefront of presidents in terms of the duration of government shutdowns, with a total of 58 days during his two terms (36 days in the first term and 22 days in the current shutdown), surpassing the previous record held by President Jimmy Carter (56 total days), according to Axios.
