Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Oct 12: As the federal government shutdown stretches into its second week, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he has instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to deploy all available resources to ensure military personnel receive their paychecks on October 15. Trump stated that the necessary funds have already been identified and will be used to support the armed forces during the budget impasse.

The shutdown, which began on October 1, is the first in nearly seven years and has left essential services strained and thousands of federal workers either furloughed or working without pay. Among those most affected are active-duty military members, whose next scheduled paycheck is at risk.

Trump’s directive comes as negotiations between Republicans and Democrats remain at a stalemate. Despite multiple failed attempts in the Senate to pass a funding bill, Trump signaled a willingness to negotiate with Democratic leaders to end the impasse. However, political tensions remain high, with Republicans accusing Democrats of demanding healthcare subsidies for undocumented immigrants—an allegation Democrats firmly reject as misinformation.

Instead, Democrats argue they are pushing to reverse healthcare cuts affecting American citizens, pointing to provisions in the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” passed earlier this year.

Beyond defense, the shutdown's impact is being felt across other federal agencies. Approximately two-thirds of National Park Service employees have been furloughed, disrupting access to major tourist destinations including Carlsbad Caverns and Petrified Forest in Arizona, as well as White Sands in New Mexico. Meanwhile, the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo in Washington managed to remain open through October 11, but future operations remain uncertain.

This marks the second government shutdown under Trump’s presidency, the first being the record-breaking 35-day closure during his previous term. With no clear resolution in sight, the current deadlock threatens to further disrupt public services and deepen the political divide in Washington.