"During a Sept. 30 speech ... I am backing a 3.8% pay raise for every servicemember."
The promise
During the Navy’s 250th birthday celebration in early October 2025, President Trump announced that service members would receive “across-the-board” pay raises (specifically citing 3.8%) even though the federal government was in shutdown as of October 1. The raise was presented as part of his commitment to the military and to avoid harm to troops despite the funding impasse. He directed the Pentagon to ensure pay despite the lapse. However, the raise is pending congressional appropriation, its timing and scope remain unclear, and the shutdown complicates implementation. Many analysts regard this as a promise meant to rally support rather than a fully funded policy.
