ISTANBUL

US President Donald Trump signed a memorandum Wednesday that directed the defense chief to ensure active-duty military personnel receive paychecks despite a government shutdown, now in its 15th day.

The memorandum directs Pete Hegseth to use any funds allocated by Congress that are available in fiscal year 2026 to pay the military salaries and allowances for active duty and reserve component personnel serving during the relevant payment period.

Congressional leaders said political negotiations had reached a standstill and the chances of passing a bipartisan bill to end the deadlock before the Oct. 15 payroll deadline were slim. The Senate failed to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government at the current level before the shutdown Wednesday.

Trump described the potential outcome as "a serious and unacceptable threat to military readiness and the ability of our Armed Forces to protect and defend our Nation."

The memorandum specifies that funds used during the appropriations lapse should be those Hegseth determines "are provided for purposes that have a reasonable, logical relationship to the pay and allowances of military personnel, consistent with applicable law."

During previous government shutdowns, standard procedure has been to keep essential workers on the job, but unpaid, and furlough nonessential workers, also unpaid, but then give them all back pay once the shutdown is over.

Trump, however, has threatened to fire, not just furlough, thousands of workers and not give others their back pay.

Democrats and labor unions call the moves illegal and pledged to challenge them in court.