Anonymous $130M donation for troops faces legal hurdles

The Conflict Division on Thursday obtained an nameless $130 million donation to pay U.S. troops throughout the federal government shutdown — however Congress might must become involved to really get it into navy palms as a result of authorized restrictions.

“On October 23, 2025, the Conflict Division accepted an nameless donation of $130 million below its common present acceptance authority,” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated in an announcement to Fox Information Digital Friday. “The donation was made on the situation that it will be used to offset the price of service members’ salaries and advantages. We’re grateful for this donor’s help after Democrats selected to withhold troops’ wages.”

However it’s unclear how the Trump administration can legally use the cash to pay troops with out congressional intervention.

The Conflict Division obtained an nameless donation of $130 million on October 23, 2025, to fund U.S. troops throughout the federal government shutdown. (Charley Triballeau/Agence France-Presse)

Whereas the federal government might settle for common donations supposed for common funds accessible to the federal government, Congress should allocate that cash to federal worker salaries, stated Romina Boccia, 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 requiring funds to pay navy salaries,” Boccia stated in an electronic mail to Fox Information Digital on Friday.

Boccia stated the navy ought to solely settle for personal donations to assist establishments akin to navy faculties, libraries and museums, or to assist navy or civilian personnel injured or killed within the line of obligation.

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

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It’s unclear how the Trump administration can legally use the cash to pay troops with out congressional intervention. (Scott Olson/Getty Pictures)

“The one method round this limitation is that if Congress decides to recategorize troop pay as necessary or direct expenditures,” Boccia stated.

Obligatory spending doesn’t require annual approval from Congress and applies to packages akin to Social Safety and Medicare, the Treasury Division stated.

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

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It’s unclear who the donor is, and President Donald Trump stated he wouldn’t establish the individual except licensed to take action, noting he didn’t consider the individual needed any recognition. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)

President Donald Trump introduced Thursday {that a} “good friend” of his has despatched the federal government a $130 million verify to pay American service members who’ve had their salaries suspended because of the funds deadlock.

“He referred to as us just lately and stated, ‘I wish to contribute to any deficit that you will have on account of the Democrats’ shutdown. I wish to contribute personally as a result of I like the navy and I like the nation,’” Trump stated Thursday.

It’s unclear who the donor is, and Trump stated he wouldn’t establish the person except given permission to take action, noting that he didn’t consider the person needed any recognition.

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

The Hindustan Instances speculated that Tesla CEO Elon Musk or Jared Isaacman, a industrial astronaut and the founder and CEO of fee processing firm Shift4 Funds, might be the donor.

Musk and Isaacman didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark from Fox Information Digital.

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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 paychecks earlier in October by redirecting unspent Pentagon funds initially allotted to analysis and improvement. Nonetheless, Republicans have stated the answer is barely short-term.