In a bold move, former President Donald Trump has vowed to ensure US troops receive their pay despite the ongoing government shutdown. This shutdown, which began on October 1st, marks the first since the 35-day closure during Trump's first term, extending into 2018.
Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, asserted his authority as commander-in-chief, directing his defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, to release funds for military personnel. He stated, "I am using my authority to direct our secretary of war to get our troops PAID on October 15th."
But here's where it gets controversial: Trump claims he has found a way to pay the troops, but the Democrats argue that this move is a political maneuver, and they refuse to back down on their healthcare stance, even with the shutdown looming.
In other news, Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi are set to chair a Gaza peace summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday. This summit will bring together leaders from over 20 countries to discuss the ongoing conflict.
The Democratic Party stands firm on its healthcare policies, willing to endure the government shutdown to make its point. Meanwhile, a judge has ruled that National Guard troops sent to Illinois by Trump can remain in the state but cannot be deployed, adding another layer to the ongoing political tensions.
And this is the part most people miss: Trump's actions during the shutdown, including the threat of unpaid leave and mass firings, seem to contradict his pro-worker image.
Furthermore, Trump and his MAGA allies have been exploiting the tragic killing of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk to further their attacks on liberal groups and Democrats, a move that has raised concerns among legal scholars and historians.
In other developments, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, along with Ivanka Trump, addressed a rally in Tel Aviv, with Witkoff announcing the return of Israeli hostages from Gaza. French President Emmanuel Macron is also set to travel to Egypt for talks on Trump's peace plan for Gaza.
So, what do you think? Is Trump's move to pay the troops a necessary step to ensure national security, or is it a political ploy? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
