President Trump directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday to pay service members by utilizing previously appropriated funds during the ongoing government shutdown, seeking to sidestep gridlock in Congress.

The move also takes some pressure off House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who was facing growing demands to call the House back to vote on Republican-sponsored legislation that would ensure troops are paid during the shutdown.

Some Democrats and policy analysts say the move is likely illegal.

Romina Boccia, the director of budget and entitlement policy at the libertarian Cato Institute, told The Hill on Monday that “technically speaking, Congress can rescind unobligated balances and repurpose them,” but “for the administration to repurpose funds unilaterally is likely illega

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