Norfolk, Virginia (CNN) — A government shutdown that could leave some military service members without paychecks didn’t stop President Donald Trump from visiting one of the largest naval installations in the world on Sunday to celebrate the US Navy’s 250th birthday.

Trump told a large crowd of sailors in Norfolk, Virginia, that service members will still be paid despite the government shutdown, which he blamed Democrats for creating.

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“We will get our service members every last penny. Don’t worry about it,” Trump said to applause and cheers. The Defense Department informed active-duty and reserve military members in late September that they would not be paid after September 30 until Congress approves funding for the agency, according to a memo viewed by CNN.

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