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Amid a federal shutdown, Donald Trump ordered paychecks for US troops, repurposing about $8bn in Pentagon R&D funds and accepting a $130m donation from billionaire Timothy Mellon to cover salaries and benefits. Legal and budget experts say the moves are likely unlawful, risk Antideficiency Act violations, and erode Congress's power of the purse. They warn the precedent could enable unilateral funding of more contentious actions, including domestic military deployments, while lawsuits may struggle for standing. Republicans in Congress now face pressure to reassert appropriations authority.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.