US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he has directed the Defence Department to use “all available funds” to ensure American troops are paid on Wednesday despite the government shutdown.

Trump said in a social media post that he was acting because “our Brave Troops will miss the paychecks they are rightfully due on October 15th”.

The Republican president’s action removes one of the pressure points that could have forced Congress into action, likely ensuring that the shutdown – now in its 11th day and counting – extends into a third week and possibly beyond.

But no similar action seems forthcoming for federal workers, thousands of whom are now being laid off during the lapse in government operations. The White House budget office started that process on Friday.

Trump blamed Democrats and said he was exercising his authority as commander in chief to direct Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth “to use all available funds to get our Troops PAID on October 15th”. The Republican president added: “We have identified funds to do this, and Secretary Hegseth will use them to PAY OUR TROOPS.”

US service members were in danger of not receiving their next pay cheque on Wednesday after the government shut down on October 1, the start of the federal budget cycle.