WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Saturday that he directed the Defense Department to use “all available funds” to ensure U.S. troops are paid Wednesday despite the government shutdown , a short-term fix that will not apply to the hundreds of thousands of federal workers who have been furloughed.

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 directive 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.

Trump blamed Democrats and said he was exercising his authority as commander in chief to direct Defense S

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