President Donald Trump directed the Defense Department to use any remaining funds to continue paying military personnel during the government shutdown, a move that is popular politically but raises legal concerns and could extend the 15-day budget standoff.

While Trump did not specify which funds would cover the approximately $8 billion needed for defense payroll, he instructed the Pentagon to use unspent money from other accounts that have a “reasonable, logical relationship to the pay and allowances of military personnel", a report by Bloomberg noted. The White House officials had earlier suggested that research and development funds were the most likely source. Also Read | US shutdown enters 9th day: Senate again fails to pass short-term funding bills

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