The Trump administration is exploring new funding methods to pay federal law enforcement officers during a government shutdown now entering its third week. Political deadlock between Democrats and Republicans has forced officials to find alternatives to keep key services running.
About 750,000 federal workers—40% of the workforce—have been furloughed, with over 4,000 laid off so far. Vice President JD Vance warned further layoffs could follow if the shutdown persists.
Essential officers from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Border Patrol, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement continue working without pay. The Office of Management and Budget is considering ways to maintain their salaries despite the funding gap.
Military personnel will be paid using previously allocated Department of Defence funds, following President Donald Trump’s directive to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to use “all available funds” to ensure pay on October 15.
The administration is also tapping tariff revenues to finance the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which benefits over 6.5 million vulnerable individuals. However, the National WIC Association calls this a temporary fix, warning that extended shutdown risks millions losing access.
Congressional Democrats plan legislation to secure steady funding for WIC. Virginia Democrat Robert Scott said the programme should be “immune to the vagaries of the annual budget process.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed an “innovative” method to keep U.S. Coast Guard salaries flowing, without offering specifics.
Recent Senate votes to end the shutdown have failed, with the Republican stopgap budget rejected 49 to 45. The ongoing impasse raises concerns over mounting economic and social impacts across the country.