WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump said Saturday on Truth Social that he has directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to "use all available funds" to ensure troops receive their pay on Oct 15 amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.

"We have identified funds to do this, and Secretary Hegseth will use them to pay our troops," Trump wrote.

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The US federal government entered a shutdown on Oct 1, marking the first shutdown in nearly seven years. Troops are at risk of not receiving their next paycheck on Oct 15.