The Pentagon has announced it will accept a $130 million donation from an anonymous ally of President Donald Trump to help pay military service members during the ongoing government shutdown. This unusual step comes as the military typically relies on funding directly appropriated by Congress, making private contributions for salaries a rare and controversial move.
Officials say the donation will be used specifically to cover salaries and benefits for active-duty service members. Sean Parnell, chief Pentagon spokesman, explained that the money was accepted under the department’s “general gift acceptance authority,” a provision that allows the Pentagon to receive donations for certain purposes.
The donation has immediately raised questions about the identity and motivations of the donor, who remains anonymous. Officials have said the donor requested not to be publicly recognized, and the Pentagon has not provided further details. This secrecy has prompted concerns among lawmakers and experts about transparency and potential conflicts of interest.
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Unusual Funding for the Military
Normally, the military is funded through public funds appropriated by Congress, ensuring that all service members receive their pay and benefits according to government budgets. Using private money to cover payroll during a shutdown represents a significant departure from these standard procedures.
Even though $130 million is a large amount of money, it is small compared to the total payroll for the roughly 1.3 million active-duty service members. If the money were divided evenly, each service member would receive about $100. This means the donation only provides a temporary or symbolic boost. It does not fully cover salaries.
Officials say the donation is meant to offset some of the shortfall in service members’ pay during the shutdown. Congress has not been formally briefed on the details of how the money will be used. This has raised more questions about oversight and accountability.
President Trump highlighted the donation publicly, stating it came from “a friend of mine” with the intention of helping military members, though he declined to reveal the donor’s identity.
Legal and Transparency Concerns
The donation has raised legal questions among budget experts and lawmakers. Federal law, including the Antideficiency Act, forbids agencies from using private money to make up for a lapse in appropriations. Experts, including Bill Hoagland, a former Senate GOP budget aide, said the Pentagon may be allowed to accept the donation but cannot legally use it to pay salaries because the law is very clear on this restriction.
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The Pentagon’s gift acceptance authority usually allows donations for specific purposes. These include military schools, hospitals, cemeteries, or support for wounded service members and their families. Paying salaries of active-duty troops is not clearly listed. This raises questions about whether the department is stretching the rules to use the donation in this way.
Senator Chris Coons, a senior Democrat on the Senate defense appropriations subcommittee, also voiced concerns. He warned that relying on anonymous donations to fund troop pay could create risks, including the possibility of influence from foreign powers or private interests. Questions about the donor’s background, including whether they have ties to foreign entities, have not been answered.
The Pentagon, White House, and Treasury have referred questions back and forth without providing a clear explanation. Meanwhile, congressional appropriators have requested more information about the donation and its intended use.
The donation provides a temporary source of funds for service members. However, it is a highly unusual and controversial step in military funding. Lawmakers and experts are watching the situation closely. They want to make sure legal rules are not broken and that transparency is maintained.
