An anonymous donor has pledged $130 million to assist in paying the salaries of U.S. military personnel. However, legal complications may prevent the Pentagon from accepting this generous offer. The donation, made public on October 23, 2025, was intended to support service members during the ongoing government shutdown, which has entered its third week.
According to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, the donation was made under the Department of War’s general gift acceptance authority. Parnell noted, “We are grateful for this donor’s assistance after Democrats opted to withhold pay from troops.” The amount donated, while significant, represents only a small fraction of the approximately $7.5 billion the Pentagon allocates every two weeks for military salaries, covering less than a day’s wages.
Despite the goodwill behind the donation, the Anti-Deficiency Act poses a significant obstacle. This law prohibits federal agencies from spending money that has not been appropriated by Congress. Bobby Kogan, senior director of federal budget policy at the Center for American Progress, explained that the law stipulates, “You may not spend money that has been donated because the Constitution and the Anti-Deficiency Act say that you can’t spend money unless you have an appropriation to make it happen.”
Legal experts note that there have been instances where Congress has allowed donations for specific purposes, such as funding parks or museums. However, using donations to pay military salaries is outside the permissible scope. Romina Boccia, director of budget and entitlement policy at the Cato Institute, emphasized, “The department is welcome to acknowledge this donor’s intent, but that does not change the legal restrictions on Congress needing to appropriate funds to pay military salaries.”
The only potential workaround for the Pentagon would involve Congress reclassifying troop pay as mandatory or direct spending. This would require significant legislative effort amid a contentious political climate, particularly as tensions rise between Republicans and Democrats during the ongoing budget impasse.
The government shutdown has lasted over 23 days as of the latest updates, with both parties entrenched in a blame game regarding the failure to reach a compromise. The implications of this shutdown extend beyond just the current funding crises; they affect the livelihoods of military personnel and their families, adding urgency to the need for resolution.
As the situation develops, the Pentagon’s acceptance of the anonymous donation raises ethical questions surrounding the funding of military salaries amidst a budgetary stalemate. The complexities of funding military operations and personnel through private donations highlight broader issues within U.S. fiscal policy and the delicate balance of governmental authority and private goodwill.
