An anonymous donor pledged a significant $130 million to support U.S. military personnel during a government shutdown, but legal hurdles may prevent the funds from being used for their intended purpose. This donation, made public by the Pentagon on October 23, 2025, was specifically aimed at offsetting service members’ salaries and benefits during a time of financial uncertainty.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell expressed gratitude for the donation, stating that it came from “a patriot and friend of mine.” The contribution is intended to alleviate some of the financial strain following a decision by Congress to withhold pay from troops. Despite the goodwill behind this donation, it represents just a small fraction of the approximately $7.5 billion the Pentagon disburses every two weeks for military salaries, covering less than a day’s worth of wages.
The potential acceptance of this donation raises questions due to the provisions of the Anti-Deficiency Act. Experts suggest this law may prevent the Pentagon from utilizing the funds without an official appropriation from Congress. “In general, 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,” said Bobby Kogan, senior director of federal budget policy at the Center for American Progress.
While there have been instances where Congress approved the acceptance of donations for specific purposes, such as parks or schools, funding military salaries does not fall within these exceptions. Romina Boccia, director of budget and entitlement policy at the Cato Institute, echoed this sentiment, noting that the military has limited authority to accept donations aimed at supporting wounded or deceased service members’ families.
To navigate around these legal restrictions, Congress would need to reclassify troop pay as mandatory or direct spending, a significant legislative change that seems unlikely given the current political climate.
As the government shutdown continues, now over 23 days, partisan divisions remain strong. Both Republicans and Democrats are engaged in a messaging war, each side blaming the other for the impasse. The delivery of this donation, while well-intentioned, highlights the complexities of military funding and the constraints imposed by existing laws.
The situation illustrates a broader issue facing the Pentagon and its budgetary processes in times of crisis. With military families caught in the middle, the implications of these funding challenges extend beyond numbers, affecting the lives of service members and their loved ones.
